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OUR FIGHT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
CAP THE RENT
We’re Capping the Rent and fighting for truly affordable housing. Year after year, our cost of living rises and our paychecks never match those hikes. From overpriced “affordable” housing lotteries to landlords demanding 40 times the rent, our housing platform is focused on tying rent to what people in the neighborhood actually earn, eliminating credit barriers that lock families out, expanding Housing Connect, and fully funding emergency rental relief so working people can stay in their homes.
Capping the Rent Based on Income
The median household income in the Bronx is under $50,000 a year, yet average rents continue to climb well past what working families can reasonably afford. When rent takes more than 30 to 40 percent of income, families are forced to choose between housing, food, and basic necessities.
Our platform ties rent caps to neighborhood income levels, ensuring housing reflects what residents actually earn and preventing predatory increases that push families out.
Eliminate Credit Checks for Renters
Thousands of qualified renters are denied housing not because they cannot pay rent, but because of credit scores shaped by medical debt, student loans, or financial hardship. Credit checks disproportionately exclude low-income residents and communities of color from stable housing opportunities.
We will remove credit score barriers from rental applications and replace them with fair, income-based standards that expand access instead of restricting it.
Overhaul of Housing Connect Program
Affordable housing lotteries are often misaligned with neighborhood income realities. Units labeled “affordable” regularly exceed what local families can pay, and eligibility requirements exclude the very residents the program is meant to serve.
We will expand Housing Connect, increase truly income-aligned units, and reform eligibility requirements so housing opportunities match the needs of the community.
Redevelop Abandoned Buildings for Community Use
Across the Bronx, vacant and distressed properties sit unused while families struggle to find affordable housing. These buildings represent lost opportunity in neighborhoods that need stability and investment.
We will convert abandoned properties into permanently affordable housing through community land trusts and community-controlled development models that keep housing in local hands.
Reinstate the New York State ERAP Program
During the pandemic, ERAP helped thousands of families avoid eviction. Since funding dried up, eviction filings have surged again across New York City, hitting working-class neighborhoods the hardest.
We will reinstate and fully fund ERAP so families can remain housed during financial hardship and prevent unnecessary displacement.
Eviction Prevention Alternatives
Thousands of eviction cases move through housing court each year, often without meaningful mediation or support. Many cases involve manageable arrears that could be resolved outside of court.
We will establish mediation alternatives for rent owed under $15,000, creating structured negotiation spaces to resolve disputes before they escalate into eviction.