Woodside on the Move Inc., founded in 1976, is a left-of-center New York City-based tenant advocacy group notable for supporting rent control. It began narrowly-focused to develop programs to improve housing and commerce for the Woodside neighborhood in New York. ¹ Today it is primarily a rental housing tenant advocacy group in New York City. ²

In March 2019, the organization led a large demonstration in outside the headquarters of the Real Estate Board of New York, accusing the lobby of a misleading ad campaign to block a certain rent reforms. WOTM also advocated for state lawmakers adopt “universal rent control.” ³

Background

The organization promotes cultural performances, and recreation and education activities for children, serving more than 500 Woodside area families each year. The organization says its community organizations fight discrimination. It is part of the western Queens chapter of the left-wing housing policy coalition called Stabilizing NYC. ⁴

The organization offered affordable housing assistance during the 1980s. After that it became more involved in social services and community organizing to oppose landlords. It expanded to include employment services and housing advocacy. ⁵

In March 2019, Woodside on the Move led a large demonstration in outside the headquarters of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) to attack REBNY’s opposition to radical rent controls. WOTM advocated for state lawmakers to adopt “universal rent control.” ⁶

The organization strongly backed state legislation in Albany sponsored by Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) and Assemblyman Brian Barnwell (D-Queens) to prohibit rent increases to raise money to pay for capital improvements. ⁷

Programs

The organization regularly receives taxpayer dollars. The New York City government gave the group $191,730 in July 2019. The money was for supporting tenants and affordable housing. ⁸

The Housing Program Services serves 2,000 adults each year regarding housing discrimination issues, providing information to tenants and some homeowners with housing assistance. ⁹

Each school year, the organization runs two Out of School Time programs for 500 youth in K-6. The programs offer homework help and tutoring. The organization also has an eight-week summer camp for about 310 students. ¹⁰

The Neighborhood Development Area program recruits 60 seventh and eighth graders from local public schools for after-school activities. The organization also has a graffiti removal program for 35 students each summer. ¹¹

Leadership

Michael J. Vaz is the executive director of Woodside on the Move. He was previously a program manager at Sports and Arts Schools Foundation that promoted after-school programs in New York. He was also a former director of Grand Street Settlement’s Bushwick Cornerstone. ¹²

Adriana Baltran is the assistant executive director. She joined the organization in 2011. ¹³

Jacqueline Amaya is the director of finance and has been with the group since 2011. She previously worked for Citigroup and AXA Equitable Financial Services. ¹⁴

Marita Munoz is the director of housing services—one of the key aspects of the organization. She shapes the affordable housing strategy, landlord-tenant mediation. She joined the organization in 2008. The organization’s website says she is involved in “shaming landlords.” ¹⁵

Robert Piazza is the president of the board of directors. The vice chairman is James Dakey. Joanne Smith is the treasurer of the board. Ericka Stallings is the board secretary. Other board members are Witold Rak, Vilma Peguero, Steven Raga, Eamon Carr, Christian Amez, Lorraine Coleman, Brnet O’Leary, Stacey Elick and Katherine O’Sullivan.

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3. Krisel, Brendan. “Housing Advocates Say Real Estate Group is Blocking Rent Reforms.” Patch. March 28, 2019. Accessed September 19, 2019. https://patch.com/new-york/midtown-nyc/housing-advocates-say-real-estate-group-blocking-rent-reforms
4. About Us. WOTM. Accessed September 19, 2019. https://woodsideonthemove.org/about-2/
5. Wulkan, Hannah. “Woodside on the Move to Celebrate 40^th Anniversary Next Week with Fundraiser.” September 21 2016. Accessed September 19, 2019. https://sunnysidepost.com/woodside-on-the-move-to-celebrate-40th-anniversary-next-week-with-fundraiser
6. Krisel, Brendan. “Housing Advocates Say Real Estate Group is Blocking Rent Reforms.” Patch. March 28, 2019. Accessed September 19, 2019. https://patch.com/new-york/midtown-nyc/housing-advocates-say-real-estate-group-blocking-rent-reforms
7. Lovett, Kenneth. “Bill Would End Rent Increases Tied to Capital Improvements.” New York Daily News. August 29, 2018. Accessed September 19, 2019. https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-pol-gianaris-rent-capital-barnwell-landlords-stabilization-20180828-story.html
8. Staff Report. “Woodside on the Move Will Get Over $191K From City; Bulk Will Go Towards Housing Issues.” Sunnyside Post. July 19, 2019. Accessed September 19, 2019. https://sunnysidepost.com/woodside-on-the-move-will-get-over-191k-from-city-bulk-of-funding-will-go-towards-housing-issues
9. Woodside on the Move. NYC Service. Accessed September 19, 2019. https://www.nycservice.org/organizations/393
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11. Woodside on the Move. NYC Service. Accessed September 19, 2019. https://www.nycservice.org/organizations/393
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