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Consumer Groups Team up to Battle EWA Lobby
The House Financial Services Committee passed earned wage access legislation in a largely party-line vote, as well as a number of other bills in a multiday markup session ahead of the July 4 recess.
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National Coalition Launches to Confront Big Tech-Backed Payday Lending Disguised as “Earned Wage Access,” as Congressional Republicans Advance Industry Giveaway
Today, two dozen community, labor, and faith-based organizations, along with community development credit unions, from 21 states where payday lending is categorically illegal announced the launch of the Stop Taking Our Pay (STOP) Coalition to confront so-called “earned wage access” (EWA) payday loans. The coalition is taking aim at the rapidly expanding EWA industry, which…
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City Limits: As COPA Makes a Comeback, What Does it Mean for Land to be Communally Owned?
The Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA) has risen from the ashes, and aims to give a boost to nonprofit organizations that promote community ownership—including community land trusts, which allow land to be directly owned by members.
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Brick Underground: Community Opportunity to Purchase Act has a Good Chance of Passing Under Mamdani
Last month, New York City Council Member Sandy Nurse revived legislation that would allow certain nonprofits and community land trusts a first shot at buying struggling multifamily properties—and this time, the mayor is in favor of the bill.
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Next City: A Community Land Trust Is Purchasing Commercial Property in NYC for the First Time
New York City’s growing community land trust movement will hit a new milestone next month, as the East New York Community Land Trust is set to become the first in city history to purchase a commercial property off the private market.
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Next City: A South Bronx Health Center Will Rise Again, Thanks to Local Organizers
The empty, worn-down building at 349 East 40th Street in the South Bronx has had many lives.
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Nearly 30 New York Credit Unions Urge Albany to Pass the Stop Taking Our Pay (STOP) Act, To Crack Down on Racial Wealth Extraction and Exploitation of Low-Wage Workers
On Wednesday, 29 credit unions from across New York State delivered a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, State Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Luis R. Sepúlveda and State Assembly Banks Chair Clyde Vanel, urging lawmakers to crack down on predatory payday loan apps by passing the Stop…
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Brownstoner: Community Land Trust Plans ‘Liberation Center’ in East New York Warehouse
The two-story industrial building at 161 Jamaica Avenue has had many uses over its 120-plus-year history. It housed a wagon painting business, a radio coil manufacturer, and a shirt making factory. It’s been the headquarters for The American Appliances and Machinery Manufacturing Co. and a place where industrial doors were made. Most recently, cabinets were…
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Wired: AI Is Taking Over the Most Cursed Job in the World
She introduced herself as Eve, but Ben knew right away that the voice on the other end of the line was a bot. Eve knew his name. She also knew how much money he’d owed a former landlord ($266). She didn’t seem to know that he’d settled with a collection agency five months prior. Eve…
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COPA Reaches Majority Support in City Council Just One Week After Reintroduction
On Thursday, the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA) secured majority support in the New York City Council only one week after its reintroduction, reaching 26 sponsors—enough support to pass the legislation.
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Council Member Nurse, Tenants, and Community Groups Announce Reintroduction of COPA with Rally at City Hall
Tenants, affordable housing organizations, and elected officials gathered at City Hall on Thursday with NYC Council Member Sandy Nurse to announce the reintroduction of the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA), landmark legislation aimed at combating displacement, preserving affordable housing, and expanding community ownership amid New York City’s deepening housing crisis.
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Spring into Solidarity!
In our latest newsletter, we share a new national profile of our work advancing community ownership; highlights from the annual “Worst Banks Awards;” our new Fintech Paycheck Extraction Clock; and a major housing victory for low-income tenants and homeowners.