Community Service Society's policy brief “How Would a Rent Freeze Impact NYC’s Rent Stabilized Tenants” shows that a four-year rent freeze would save New Yorkers living in rent stabilized housing as much as $6.84 billion cumulatively. Each rent stabilized household would save an average of $590 monthly, essential savings that could help pay off student loans, credit card debt, or pay for medication and groceries. 

The current Rent Guidelines Board is considering increases of 1.75 to 4.25% on new one-year leases and 4.75 to 7.75% on two-year leases.

That's why tenants are coming together all across NYC to demand the next mayor support a rent freeze that will help us stay in our homes and our communities. More than 12,000 tenants have signed the petition to freeze the rent so far. Be sure to sign!

We have a problem in NYC. The same banks that want to hold our tax dollars for the City then turn around and loan to bad actor landlords.  

The Banking Commission is accepting comments on the banks that have applied to hold NYC tax dollars.

After the hearing on May 5th, the Banking Commission will vote on which banks to designate as eligible to do business with the City of New York and its agencies at a public meeting scheduled for May 13th. 

The Commission will vote on May 13, 2025 at 10 AM. We will be holding a press conference and rally as part of the Public Bank NYC coalition. Save the date and come!

RSVP to jodiel@coopersquare.org to let us know you will attend and to receive help preparing testimony for either event.

We're offering our next series of Performing Arts Classes.

Building a Character (six sessions on Mondays and Fridays, starting May 2)

Laying Your Foundation: Master Class (May 5)

Performance and Poetry Workshop (May 31)

Sign up using this form!

All New Yorkers can call 311 to get a free lead water test from NYC Dept of Environment Protection (DEP). DEP will mail the testing kits right to your home. The test is very simple and takes just minutes to conduct. There are different ways lead can enter your drinking water, either from the pipes that deliver water from the water main to your building or from your building's plumbing.

When assessing your home's water quality, we encourage you to do what makes you feel safe, but also consider the views of the Filtered not Bottled campaign. This campaign aims to support clean water efforts and also reduce plastic pollution.