why we partner
Heat Seek partners with public interest attorneys, community-based organizations, and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), the city agency that enforces NYC’s Housing Code, to ensure that our sensors are going where they're needed the most. To the extent possible, we provide sensors free of charge to tenants who meet the income requirement to qualify for free legal services.
Rather than a stand-alone data solution, our work is grounded in a deep respect for community organizers and on-the-ground advocates, and we seek to contribute services that meaningfully support their work.
Our community-based partners are typically already doing tenant organizing around housing issues, and have an established presence in the communities in which they work. We rely on them for their expertise, leadership and on the ground connections to tenants in deploying our sensors to have the greatest impact they can.
Interested attorneys, community organizers, healthcare providers, and other advocates should email info@heatseek.org to inquire about becoming a Heat Seek partner organization.
Our 2019-2020 winter program is underway & Heat Seek sensors are currently being installed. We're focusing on targeting at-risk buildings, and using data + advocacy in collaboration with our key partners to improve conditions for tenants.
During the winter of 2015-2016, Heat Seek ran a pilot program in 50 buildings throughout four boroughs. For this pilot program, we sought out buildings with the following criteria: (1) an organized tenant association, (2) at a high risk for continued landlord abuse, as identified by our partners, and (3) stated willingness to bring a group case to housing court. Learn more about our work and see a map of participating buildings here.