Community Assisted Tenant Controlled Housing, Inc. (CATCH) is a not-forprofit organization that works to transform distressed buildings across New York City into decent, affordable, resident-controlled housing. At the invitation of residents, local politicians, non-profit agencies, or the city, we arrange and oversee the rehabilitation of abandoned or dilapidated buildings. Rather than taking title to these buildings directly, we typically put them under the ownership of a neighborhood-based "mutual housing association," or MHA. Each MHA is governed by a board of directors that includes residents, CATCH representatives, and sometimes people from the local community as well. All building residents are members of the MHA, and are legally entitled to vote for representatives on the board of directors or run for a position themselves. Mutual housing is  also a housing model widely used in Europe. 

 

CATCH was formed in 1991 by a number of respected housing, community development, and community service organizations. These include the United Housing Foundation, U-HAB, Lawyers Alliance, the Community Service Society, and the Parodneck Foundation, which acts as CATCH's lead agency. CATCH's co-sponsors play a crucial role in the organization, providing many forms of assistance and support.