A new study from the Community Service Society showed widespread support for rent stabilization and good cause eviction protections. 81% of respondents supported rent stabilization and 78% supported Good Cause -- and support stayed high across regional, demographic, and party affiliation differences. The study also identified a significant awareness problem: only a third of respondents were initially aware of Good Cause.

The study makes the following recommendations:

• Municipalities should opt in to both rent stabilization and Good Cause, and they should do so with the strongest possible protections.
• More work is needed to educate New Yorkers about the opportunity to opt in to Good Cause.
• The New York State Legislature should pass the Rent Emergency Stabilization for Tenants (REST) Act (S4659/A4877), a bill that clarifies and simplifies the process for localities to declare a housing emergency and opt in to rent stabilization.

Read more coverage of the study in City & State here.

Citibank's failure to protect the city from federal seizure of municipal funds has prompted calls for a public bank. In a Daily News op-ed, former CEO of the Lower East Side People's Federal Credit Union Linda Levy called for the creation of a public bank in NYC, chartered to serve the public interest. Banks have long facilitated injustice in NYC through redlining, predatory lending, investing in harmful industries, and more. And recently, Citibank processed a reversal of $80 million in federal funding transferred to the city for emergency shelter and services it had already provided. When the account didn't have enough money, Citibank hit the city with an overdraft fee. Citing a 2023 New School study, Levy argued a public bank is needed to 'safeguard public funds from federal overreach, while ensuring public money works for the public good.'

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams echoed the call for a public bank on X here.

As a member of the Public Bank NYC coalition, we are so excited to see this momentum. Let's keep working to make sure public money puts people, communities, and the planet first!

While doorknocking in a building in the East Village, CSC Tenant Organizers Anna and Illapa discovered appalling conditions in one apartment in particular. The landlord had neglected to maintain the space. Thanks to the support of Cooper Square staff and an attorney from Manhattan Legal Services, the tenant now has a lease, relief from accumulated rent arrears, and much-needed repairs and maintenance for the apartment. With the help of University Settlement, we also furnished the tenant's home with a bed, table and chairs, dresser, and improved the accessibility of the bathroom.

Tenants don’t have to accept poor conditions. Together, when we organize, we can get the repairs and apartment maintenance we deserve!

Image from Cooper Square Theater Program performance of SaMi Chester's original play Surviving, Struggles And Speculators: A Tenant Tale, based on tenant experiences in the Lower East Side (2023).

We are excited to announce that we have received a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts for our Theater Arts Program, which is returning this Spring. We plan to offer a series of FREE acting classes at our studio space at 59-61 East 4th Street. We welcome students of all experience levels to join our classes on acting fundamentals, improvisation, scene study, acting on camera, working with classical texts, devised theater, and more!

If you're interested, please tell us a little more about yourself and your interests through the below form.

Come canvass with us this Saturday to build a powerful tenant movement! We'll be talking with our neighbors about our campaign for a rent freeze and gathering signatures on our petition.

Saturday, March 1, 12:30pm

Meet at CSC, 59-61 East 4th St.

Last legislative session, Housing Justice for All fought for and won Good Cause eviction protections.

We aren't stopping there! Rents and homelessness are on the rise in NYC -- and budget negotiations are beginning. Tenants are 70% of New York and keep this city and state running. It’s time to tell our elected officials in Albany to put tenants ahead of big real estate!

Join us on the bus on Tuesday, March 18th for an all-day field trip to the New York State capitol. We will demand that our elected leaders hold the line against the powerful real estate lobby, stand for tenant protections, and fight for new social housing!

Transportation, lunch, and lobby training will be provided. No experience needed!

Wonder how Cooper Square beat Robert Moses and kept hundreds of apartments affordable? Want to learn how to organize against big landlords and win? Looking to connect with others in the neighborhood? 

Join us for a film screening of Rabble Rousers and a community discussion afterwards! 

Light snacks provided.