Supporting Tenants. Strengthening Communities.
Mount Vernon United Tenantsprovides information, advocacy, education, referrals, and support to tenants and community members.
Complete the confidential Legal Services intake application online. This application opens in a separate secure system and submitting it does not guarantee legal representation.
Welcome to MVUTS
The Mount Vernon United Tenants helps tenants understand their housing concerns, connect with trusted resources, submit requests for assistance, and receive support from their own community. Our team listens first, explains options in plain language, and helps neighbors take the next practical step.
Our Leadership
The MVUTS team members who lead our daily tenant support work.
Judy Williams
Executive Director
Shawna Holmes
Office Manager / Case Worker
Amitro Jones
Case Worker
Antoinette Cusato
Intake Specialist
How MVUTS Helps
Explore the tenant-support services offered by the Mount Vernon United Tenants.
Support and guidance when speaking with landlords, managers, or agencies.
Learn More about Tenant AdvocacyPlain-language information about tenancy, notices, and housing processes.
Learn More about Housing InformationInformation and referrals for tenants worried about losing their home.
Learn More about Eviction Prevention ResourcesHelp reviewing rent charges, lease renewals, and written agreements.
Learn More about Rent and Lease ConcernsGuidance on reporting repair problems and unsafe building conditions.
Learn More about Building and Repair ComplaintsPatient, one-on-one help for older adults, including help with forms.
Learn More about Senior Tenant SupportWorkshops, tenant meetings, and community forums held throughout the year.
Learn More about Community EducationConnections to legal service providers, agencies, and community programs.
Learn More about Referrals to Legal and Social ServicesPlease note
How to Get Help
Four simple steps.
- 1
Complete the online application
Answer a short set of questions about your household and your housing concern.
- 2
Upload available supporting documents
Add your lease, notices, photos, or other paperwork if you have them.
- 3
MVUTS staff reviews the request
A staff member reviews your information and determines next steps.
- 4
You receive follow-up or an appointment
We contact you using the method you preferred with information or an appointment time.
Important Announcements
Office closures, tenant meetings, workshops, deadlines, housing notices, and emergency information.
The MVUTS office will be closed. Messages left during the closure will be returned the next business day.
Read More about Office Closure NoticeJoin neighbors for the monthly tenant meeting. Agenda and location details will be posted by the administrator.
Read More about Monthly Tenant MeetingApplications for [program name] should be submitted by this date so staff can review them in time.
Read More about Assistance Application DeadlineIf you have no heat or hot water, contact emergency services and your building management first, then notify MVUTS.
Read More about Emergency Heating InformationTenant Resources
Trusted contacts, programs, and downloadable information.
Statewide information for residential tenants, plus a housing complaint process and a printable tenants’ rights guide.
What they help with
- Tenant rights, leases, and rent
- Security deposits and landlord responsibilities
- Safety and utility services
- Landlord harassment and retaliation
- Housing discrimination and tenant complaints
- Telephone:
- 1-800-771-7755
- Deaf/Hard of Hearing:
- 1-800-788-9898
- Hours:
- Contact organization for current hours
County office that connects tenants facing eviction with legal representation and housing-court assistance.
What they help with
- Evictions and landlord-tenant court matters
- Tenants behind on rent
- Legal representation and right to counsel
- Housing-court assistance
- Housing Counsel Helpline:
- 914-995-4814
- 211 Assistance (24/7):
- 211
- Hours:
- Contact organization for current hours
Urgent court date?
If you have a court date, a hearing, or papers that require a response, say that your matter is urgent when you call. United Way 211 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Free civil legal help for eligible residents, with an office in Mount Vernon.
What they help with
- Eviction defense and landlord-tenant disputes
- Housing conditions and illegal lockouts
- Affordable housing and Section 8 issues
- Housing discrimination
- Public benefits and disability advocacy
- Domestic violence and other civil legal matters
- Legal Assistance Intake:
- 1-877-574-8529
- Mount Vernon Office:
- 914-813-6880
- Address:
- 100 East 1st Street, Mount Vernon, NY 10550
- Hours:
- Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
State office that administers rent-regulated housing, including rent stabilization, rent control, and ETPA apartments.
What they help with
- Rent stabilization, rent control, and ETPA apartments
- Rent history and lease renewals
- Rent overcharges and reduced services
- Harassment in rent-regulated housing
- Finding out whether an apartment is rent regulated
- Rent Info Line:
- 1-833-499-0343
- Westchester County Rent Office:
- 914-948-4434
- Address:
- Westchester County Rent Office: 75 South Broadway, 3rd Floor, White Plains, NY 10601
- Hours:
- Contact organization for current hours
Tenants in rent-regulated apartments who believe they are being charged an illegal rent may obtain information and file a rent-overcharge complaint with NYS Homes and Community Renewal.
What they help with
- Illegal rent and rent-overcharge questions
- Filing a rent-overcharge complaint
- Rent increase rules for regulated apartments
- Rent Info Line:
- 1-833-499-0343
- Hours:
- Contact organization for current hours
City office that enforces housing and building codes in Mount Vernon.
What they help with
- Unsafe housing conditions
- Building-code violations
- Maintenance problems the landlord will not fix
- Housing-code concerns
- Mount Vernon City Hall:
- 914-665-2300
- Hours:
- Contact organization for current hours
Document the problem
Keep photographs, videos, written requests to the landlord, dates, receipts, notices, and other evidence relating to housing conditions whenever possible.
Do You Need Help With a Housing Concern?
Complete the MVUTS assistance application so our team can review your request.