News & Events
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American Banker: New York State Introduces Bill Deeming EWA a Loan
The bill was introduced by New York State Senator Samra Brouk (D) and Assemblymember Steven Raga (D), and proposes that any wage or cash advances be considered loans and subject to the state’s 16% interest rate cap. It also would classify any fee paid in connection with the advance, including tips and subscription costs whether…
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Statewide Coalition, Lawmakers Unveil “Stop Taking Our Pay” (STOP) Act at Capitol Press Conference
On Tuesday, community groups, community development credit unions, and impacted New Yorkers from across the state joined lawmakers at the State Capitol to announce the introduction of the Stop Taking Our Pay (STOP) Act (S8939, A9644) sponsored by State Senator Samra Brouk of Rochester and Assemblymember Steven Raga of Queens. The STOP Act would crack down…
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Brooklyn Grounds: This City Council Member Just Gave Distorted Info on a Housing Preservation Bill
Mealy’s words were met with objections and confusion from Brooklynites attending the Jan. 8 meeting, even prompting a board member to walk out in frustration after hearing Mealy’s erroneous claims about the policy.
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BronxTalk: COPA, the “Community Opportunity to Purchase Act”
This week’s BronxTalk takes an in-depth look at the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA), designed to bring thousands of apartments into permanently affordable community control. The guests are a staff attorney with New Economy Project, Elena Rodriguez, and the co-organizing and development director for NWBCCC, Edward Garcia.
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Next City: The Clock Is Ticking For NYC To Save Community Opportunity To Purchase
Almost six years after the first version of the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA) was first put forward, New York City council members successfully passed the bill during one of their final meetings of 2025.
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Community Groups & Electeds Rally At City Hall Demanding Council Override Of Mayor Adams’ Veto Of COPA
On Wednesday, tenants, community and affordable housing organizations joined Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and Council Members Harvey Epstein and Kayla Santosuosso at City Hall for a press conference and speak-out calling on incoming Speaker Julie Menin and the New York City Council to override former Mayor Adams’ eleventh-hour veto…
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City Council Passes COPA, Following Multi-Year Push by Council Member Sandy Nurse and 200+ Housing & Community Groups
Amid a deepening housing crisis, the New York City Council today passed the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (Intro 902-B), or COPA—landmark legislation that will preserve and expand deeply affordable housing across the city and protect tenants from displacement. The bill, championed by Council Member Sandy Nurse and a coalition of over 200+ community groups,…
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PIX 11: City Council Passes Groundbreaking COPA Housing Law
At a rally prior to passage of the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act on Thursday, our Deyanira Del Río spoke with Pix 11 about the bill’s potential.
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Groups, Electeds Rally for Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA) at City Hall Thursday, to Address Housing and Affordability Crises
Action comes as Council Member Nurse releases revised COPA bill following broad stakeholder engagement process, and as Mayor-elect Mamdani calls for bill’s passage
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Jacobin: New York City’s Forgotten Public Bank Plan
A story about austerity, political discipline, and a vision of public finance that New York abandoned just when it needed it most.