HOUSING JUSTICE
Why We're Fighting
Everyone deserves guaranteed housing that is safe and dignified, no matter their income or social status. Corporate developers, predatory property owners, and some elected officials are keeping our communities stuck in a housing system that forces people to choose between paying rent and buying food. As a result, we have almost 100,000 homeless adults and children in New York and millions more who are just one emergency away from losing their homes. And, as always, unjust evictions, unfair rent hikes, and unsafe living conditions disproportionately affect Black and Brown people.
We envision a world that recognizes the inherent dignity of every person and guarantees safe, stable housing as a human right. In this world, we value people over property. In this world, Black, Brown, and low-income people have their basic needs met & tenants can organize to protect and enforce their rights.
What We're Fighting For
Everyone deserves guaranteed housing that is safe and dignified, regardless of their income or social status. We will protect tenants and invest in community ownership by:
- Passing the Housing Access Voucher Program to fund state level vouchers that actually pay rents and include those who are unhoused and those with varied documentation status.
- Passing the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act to fund tenant purchases of properties that go up for sale.
- Passing the Social Housing Development Authority and Tenant Power Act to create state agencies to develop not for profit, permanently affordable housing and tenant union protections.
- Invest in Public Housing to ensure safe and dignified public housing across New York.
Housing Justice is a part of Our Justice Agenda for 2025. Click here to read the full Agenda and get involved in the fight!
What We're Fighting For
We will protect tenants and invest in community ownership by:
- Passing Good Cause Tenant Protections (S305/A4454) to give tenants the right to challenge unfair evictions and discrimination by landlords
- Passing Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (S221/A3353) to give tenants funding and first dibs to buy properties they live in when they go up for sale, and have a say in who can buy them if they don’t
- Passing Housing Access Voucher Program (S568/A4021) to provide all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, with rental support that keeps pace with the actual cost of rent and can be used as long as the need exists
Housing Justice is a part of Our Justice Agenda for 2024. Click here to read the full Agenda and get involved in the fight!