New Economy Project is digging deep with coalition allies across New York—fighting back against federal attacks and advancing bold, systems-changing solutions rooted in racial and economic justice.
In our latest newsletter, we share exciting campaign updates and ways to take action. Please forward to a friend; new readers can subscribe here.
PUTTING CLTs ON THE MAP
We recently launched the first-ever interactive map of New York City’s growing community land trust (CLT) movement! The map features 19 CLTs bringing land and housing into community hands—showcasing their campaigns, properties, and the communities they serve.
Created with the NYC Community Land Initiative and F.Y. Eye, the map is a powerful tool for residents, policymakers, and others to explore and get involved in the local CLT movement.
Explore the map, and read more in Next City: “A New Map Tracks the Growth of NYC’s Community Land Trusts.”
FIGHTING DEBT-TRAP APPS
As the Trump administration works to gut federal protections, New York must hold the line against emboldened predators. This month, New Economy Project staff attorney Raquel Villagra led a packed legislative briefing at the State Capitol on the End Loan Sharking Act—a bill we co-drafted to strengthen New York’s usury laws and stop fintech and other lenders from trapping New Yorkers in high-cost debt.
Read our latest report, featured in The City, exposing how these apps have extracted half a billion dollars from New Yorkers since 2019.
TAKING BACK THE LAND
New Economy Project, NYCCLI, and 150+ community and affordable housing organizations are stepping up the fight for the Community Land Act, a set of bills to combat displacement and help communities take control of land and housing.
Through our Community Land Act Town Halls and other actions, we’ve generated thousands of phone calls, emails and postcards to the City Council, calling for passage of the bills.
Check out our Town Hall Series recap and highlight reel to hear from New Yorkers about why they support the Community Land Act.
THE PUBLIC BANK PUSH IS ON
There’s so much action on public banking right now, we had to spell it out—with links and action steps included.
First up: NPQ Magazine featured an article by our own Andy Morrison on what “Finance for the People” really looks like.
Then came the Trump administration’s unlawful seizure of $80 million in NYC funds—facilitated by Citibank—which made headlines and raised alarms. In the Daily News, coalition member Linda Levy of the Lower East Side People’s FCU makes the case for a public bank that would safeguard public money from federal overreach.
Meanwhile, a new statewide poll from Community Service Society shows New Yorkers support public banking by a 4-to-1 margin—rising to 8-to-1 in NYC. CSS President David Jones discussed the findings in his Amsterdam News column.
Housing justice is on the line too. In City Limits, Jodie Leidecker of Cooper Square Committee—another Public Bank NYC coalition member—explains why public banking is essential to addressing NYC’s affordability crisis.
And our recent report, exposing NYC’s biggest deposit-holding banks for charging Black New Yorkers higher mortgage interest rates—costing them $30K more over the life of a loan—prompted a State Senate hearing this month. Watch highlights from the hearing.
TAKING TOPA TO THE TOP
In February, New Economy Project led a powerful Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) day of action in Albany, alongside NYCCLI and Housing Justice for All. Co-drafted by New Economy Project, TOPA would give tenants the first chance to buy their buildings—taking land off the speculative market and bringing it into permanently affordable community control.
Momentum is building. Our Skadden Fellow, Chelsea Diaz, testified at a key budget hearing, urging the state to pass and fund TOPA this year. As negotiations heat up, groups are keeping up the pressure in Albany.
Read more about the growing tenant and CLT-led movement:
- W42ST: Hell’s Kitchen Tenants Fight to Turn Neglected Buildings into Community-Owned Housing
- BRICK Underground: Could a proposed bill to help New York tenants buy their building finally become law?
Fired up for TOPA? Take action now!
WE’RE HIRING
New Economy Project is hiring a two-year Policy Fellow to work on state and local campaigns that advance cooperative economics and community wealth-building. We are thrilled to offer this opportunity through the Johnson Justice Fellowship program. The salary range is $70k – $80k with generous benefits. Read more and apply by April 7, 2025.
IN THE NEWS
- W42St, Hell’s Kitchen Tenants Fight to Turn Neglected Buildings into Community-Owned Housing
- Brick Underground, Could a proposed bill to help New York tenants buy their building finally become law?
- The City, Payday Loan Apps Cost New Yorkers $500 Million Plus, New Study Estimates
- The Village View, Fed’s Theft of City Funds Fuels Call for Public Bank
- Finger Lakes 1, Tenant Groups Push for Stronger Housing Protections in New York Budget
- Next City, A New Map Tracks the Growth of NYC’s Community Land Trusts
- Demos, Public Banks for Public Good: Transformative Investments to Help Close the Racial Wealth Gap
- Nonprofit Quarterly, What Does Finance for the People Look Like?
- Capitol Pressroom, Closing Loopholes in New York’s Lending Laws
MEET OUR BOARD
We are thrilled to introduce three new members of New Economy Project’s board of directors. Join us in welcoming them aboard!
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Erica Gonzalez Martinez Erica is the Director of Power for Puerto Rico, a national advocacy coalition, and a lifelong advocate for social justice, Latino issues, and self-determination for Puerto Rico. |
Krishna Omolade As Director of Community Capitals at the Heron Foundation, Krishna manages investments and grants focused on addressing income and wealth inequality. |
Robert Winn Robert is a filmmaker and advisor working with groups to build power and create change through storytelling. His work focuses on immigrant organizing, labor, and more. |