Housing advocates make final
stand before budget vote
BY DEAN MOSES
Housing advocates make haste to
demand Community Land Trust
(CLT) funding as the New York
City Council teeters on the cusp of the fi nal
Fiscal Year 2022 budget vote, which is set
to begin on July 1.
Chants of “CLTs for NYC,” rang
throughout City Hall Park on Tuesday
morning, June 29, as tenants, elected
offi cials, and housing activists rallied to
demand full funding of $1.51 million to the
CLT initiative to stabilize housing. Advocates
say these funds will allow for a more
equitable recovery for all while providing
support for 14 neighborhood-based CLTs
throughout New York City, including some
citywide technical support organizations.
“The message to New York City Council
is very simple: If you believe in economic
justice, invest in Community Land Trusts,”
said Albert Scott of East New York CLT.
“This dynamic tool that helps empower
communities such as mine in East New
York, Brownsville, and citywide so, it
is imperative that this budget pass with
a tremendous investment in Community
Land Trust.”
The fi ght for funding comes as the COVID
19 pandemic has exacerbated an already
existing housing and economic crisis within
New York City’s most vulnerable communities.
Since Governor Andrew Cuomo lifted
government-mandated pandemic restrictions,
and Mayor Bill de Blasio announced
the whopping $92.8 billion budget, activists
are calling for a “just recovery,” starting
with housing equity for Black, Brown, and
immigrant communities.
The CLT initiative aims to create and
preserve affordable housing by combatting
residential and commercial displacement
Housing advocates call for investment in Community Land Trusts.
and inclusive decision-making in neighborhood
development. Advocates believe this
initiative will help address the core causes
of homelessness and displacement by
ensuring that affordable housing remains
permanent, and developments meet community
needs.
And, with the looming end of the eviction
moratorium on Aug. 31, the fi ght for
housing protections has never been fi ercer.
“As we near a vote on the city budget
we are calling for full funding of the $1.5
million citywide community land trust
initiative,” said Manhattan Councilmember
Carlina Rivera, sharing that in her district,
the Cooper Square CLT provides hundreds
of residents with affordable rents and holds
22 longtime small business with belowmarket
rents.
Council Member Carlina Rivera says that CLTs put residents in control.
Since 1994, New York City has lost
300,000 rent-regulated apartments,
Rivera said, stressing that protection for
New York’s most vulnerable is needed now
more than ever.
“Even though we have new state laws
protecting tenants, and we have to thank
PHOTOS BY DEAN MOSES
our state colleagues for that, the pandemic
has revealed that a majority are rent burden,
and they are on the brink of housing
insecurity,” Rivera said, adding, “CLTs at
scale can truly preserve affordable communities
better than any other tool because
they put residents in control.”
In addition to the funding of CLTs, those
in attendance at the June 29 rally plead for
the passage of legislation to advance tenant
and community-controlled housing.
Albert Scott of East New York CLT leads a chant: “CLTs for NYC!”
Schneps Media July 1, 2021 3