Brian Phillips, CRS,CIPS,C2EX,AHWD,NYRS,ABR,SRS,SFR,CNE,’s Post

New York State Assembly Member Zinerman and Housing Advocates to Call Out the ongoing egregious abuses and behavior of landlords on site of the #3 Worst Landlord in NYC and #1 Worst Landlord in Brooklyn. This press conference coincides with the 56th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, a landmark piece of legislation eliminating housing discrimination and promoting equal opportunity for all. As we commemorate this historic milestone, it is imperative to address the persistent challenges facing tenants in our community and reaffirm our commitment to upholding their rights. The press conference will also shine a light on The NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, 2023 Worst Housing List, an important tool in identifying and addressing the challenges tenants face in securing safe, affordable, and fair housing in our city. Our focus will be the 56th Assembly District of Bedford Stuyvesant and Crown Heights, where we aim to underscore the significance of tenant protections and the strides we have made in housing rights. During this event, we will discuss: *Tenant Protections: Highlighting the robust tenant protections available in New York City, with a special emphasis on recent enhancements that safeguard the rights and well-being of tenants. *Current Tenant Laws: An overview of current New York State (NYS) and New York City (NYC) legislation impacting tenants, aiming to inform and empower our community with knowledge of their rights and the legal mechanisms in place to protect them. *The Current NYS Budget and Legislative Session: An analysis of how the current NYS budget and ongoing legislative session are addressing housing issues, with a particular focus on initiatives aimed at improving housing security and affordability for New Yorkers. *Protections from Landlords: Discussing upcoming legislative efforts and policies designed to offer further protection to tenants from unfair landlord practices, ensuring a fair and equitable housing market. This press conference represents not only a moment to reflect on the progress we have made but also an opportunity to engage in a constructive dialogue about the future of housing in Brooklyn and beyond. #FairHousing #RightToFairHousing #HousingAdvocacy #TenantsRights #Legislation #HousingPressConference #PressConference

Important Housing Provider Cost Survey: Help Us Combat L.A. City’s Attempt to Reduce Allowable Rent Increases Since 1979, the City of Los Angeles had a formula to calculate allowable rent increases for rental units covered by the city’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance. Now, the Democratic Socialists and other extreme, left-wing factions on the City Council want to drastically reduce allowable rent increases by creating a new formula based upon a small percentage of the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rather than utilizing the full CPI. In addition, the City Council may also consider reducing the current maximum allowable rent increase, which is now 8%, to something lower, like 3% and removing the existing floor. Following 4 years of NO INCREASES being allowed under the city’s COVID-era regulations, the City of Los Angeles finally posted on the Los Angeles Housing Department’s (LAHD) website in advance of the “rent increase freeze” termination date on February 1st that the allowable rent increase amount would be 7% (due to high inflation). However, at the last moment, when the 7% was all set to go into effect on February 1st…after 4 years of NO INCREASES, the Democratic Socialist wing of the City Council began pushing to extend the freeze and ultimately gave us just a 4% allowable increase, which expires on June 30th. Help us to stop this proposed, drastic reduction in allowable rent increases. There’s been enough harm done to rental property owners following 4 years of no allowable increases and then allowing only one, reduced rent increase that is expiring soon. TAKE OUR SURVEY: Please take our survey so we can provide important cost data to the members of the Los Angeles City Council and dissuade them from this idea of reducing allowable rent increases. Survey Link: https://lnkd.in/gWAxFNpw. If you are sick and tired of harmful regulations, please support the AAGLA PAC so we can help get elected public officials who are aligned with the interests of rental housing providers. Please make a generous contribution today at https://lnkd.in/gu7dBeAk.

Check out the latest Jacobin Magazine article featuring our Senior Housing Associate Jasmine Rangel where she is quoted saying, "Social housing isn’t a one-size-fits-all model, apart from the basic principles. Localities need the freedom to be able to embed those principles in a way that matches their local housing market needs.." We agree! Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g7g8QfF8 #HousingFutures #HousingJustice #SocialHousing

The landmark advocacy work of our social justice partners at the Fair Share Housing Center is highlighted in this New York Times feature. The article details the important history of New Jersey’s recently reaffirmed Mount Laurel doctrine, which requires each municipality to provide its fair share of affordable housing, and the model this framework provides for other states battling the housing affordability crisis. https://lnkd.in/eDcxxjj4

🚨 A Call to Action for Villa Rica Residents! 🚨 In Villa Rica, Georgia, the struggle for housing equity is a fight for justice and civil rights. Residents of the Cleghorn-Anderson neighborhood, many of whom have called their homes theirs for over a century, are facing alarming threats of displacement due to the actions of city officials and a developer with a troubling history of exploiting communities. Recently, the city secured nearly $27 million for a project in an area referred to as "The Crack," highlighting a history of displacing residents to the furthest parts of the county. Homeowners are now receiving notices demanding their properties for development with NO COMPENSATION. Consider this: One man purchased his home on April 29, 2024, only to receive a notice just days later that the city would take it for road construction. Another resident, who has paid taxes for nearly 20 years, was told his property had been sold without any communication from the city. This is not just negligence; it’s a violation of civil rights. The betrayal doesn't stop there. Land dedicated for public use has been transferred to developers without community input, raising concerns about corruption at the highest levels of local government. One city council member has even indicated that these actions may be racially motivated, echoing a painful history that should have no place in our society today. As community members rallied outside City Hall, demanding accountability and transparency, the city manager was ultimately terminated, but the fight for justice continues. We cannot allow the injustices of the past to dictate our future. Let’s stand together to defend the rights of homeowners in Cleghorn-Anderson and preserve generational wealth. The residents of Villa Rica deserve better—respect, compensation, and the right to remain in their homes. This is our moment to unite and advocate for equity and justice in our communities! ✊🏾 #VillaRica #HousingEquity #CivilRights #CommunityAdvocacy #FairHousing https://lnkd.in/gz_8V2tn

San Francisco Elects Moderate Mayor Daniel Lurie; Board of Supervisors Shifts Toward Centrism San Francisco's recent elections have ushered in a more moderate political leadership, signaling a potential shift toward pro-business policies aimed at revitalizing the city's economy. The election of a moderate mayor committed to addressing homelessness and reducing crime, along with a Board of Supervisors that has moved slightly toward the center, reflects a growing consensus on the need for balanced approaches to the city's challenges. This political realignment is crucial for San Francisco's economic recovery. Pro-business policies can attract and retain companies, stimulate job creation, and enhance the city's tax base, all of which are essential for overcoming the economic downturn exacerbated by the pandemic. By fostering a business-friendly environment, San Francisco can work toward restoring its status as a vibrant economic hub. While the election outcomes may not fully embody a pro-business, anti-crime mandate, they represent a step in the right direction. The blend of moderate and progressive perspectives within the city's leadership offers an opportunity to implement comprehensive strategies that address both economic and social issues, paving the way for a more prosperous and equitable San Francisco. https://lnkd.in/gP3depP9

Part 1: 7. Changing the Landscape “Changing the Landscape” is an inspiring story that unfolds in the heart of a city marked by its sharp contrasts between affluence and poverty, between towering corporate offices and neglected urban sprawl. The narrative focuses on a dynamic duo: Jordan, a tireless community activist, and Taylor, a lawyer specialized in social justice issues, who embark on a mission to challenge and transform the real estate industry from the ground up, advocating for policy changes to prevent exploitation and protect vulnerable communities. The Awakening Jordan witnesses firsthand the repercussions of predatory real estate practices when a close family friend is evicted from her long-time home due to skyrocketing rents, a consequence of aggressive gentrification. Meanwhile, Taylor encounters numerous legal cases where loopholes in property laws enable exploitation and abuse. Their shared outrage over these injustices ignites a partnership aimed at systemic change. Building the Movement Understanding that true change requires both grassroots support and legal reform, Jordan and Taylor launch a campaign to raise awareness about the exploitative practices plaguing their city. They organize community forums, create informative online content, and collaborate with local media to spotlight stories of those directly affected by unjust housing policies. The Strategy Their strategy involves drafting proposed legislation that would provide greater protections for tenants, ensure affordable housing quotas in new developments, and impose stricter penalties on landlords who exploit vulnerable renters. Taylor’s legal expertise complements Jordan’s community organizing skills, enabling them to craft policies that are both legally sound and deeply rooted in the community’s needs. Facing Opposition As their movement gains momentum, they encounter fierce opposition from powerful real estate developers and lobbyists who stand to lose the most from the proposed changes. Jordan and Taylor face personal and professional attacks aimed at discrediting their campaign, but they remain undeterred, their resolve only strengthened by the broadening support from the community and sympathetic political allies.

Access to safe and stable housing is a fundamental right. In New Jersey, tenants – not property owners – are the majority. Implementing policies that provide tenants with the resources and support they need to maintain their housing is critical to systemic equality. One way we can do that is by providing additional funding to adequately staff the Comprehensive Eviction Defense and Diversion program, which provides access to counsel for tenants facing eviction. We’re developing a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis on the advantages of providing access to counsel for tenants facing eviction so we can demonstrate to New Jersey lawmakers the necessity of fully funding this program. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ekBCkh3i

The National Urban League is actively opposing the Dismantle DEI Act, which threatens vital diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in our communities. This legislation could reverse decades of progress, jeopardizing the livelihoods of public servants and undermining community development. Join us in advocating for policies that promote equity and inclusion. #DEI #CivilRights #CommunityEmpowerment #SocialJustice #Advocacy https://conta.cc/3VqLF2c

"This rule is our government’s most substantial effort to guide and support program participants in furthering fair housing. It closes the spaces where participants can hide when they are unable to show results . . ." says Amalea Smirniotopoulos from the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. In light of this, over 300 organizations have come together to urge the Biden administration to finalize the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (#AFFH) rule. This coalition, which includes civil rights groups, housing advocates, faith-based organizations, and more, emphasizes the rule's crucial role in addressing housing disparities and advancing racial equity. The delay in finalizing the AFFH rule poses serious risks, including potential setbacks if a new administration overturns progress. Discover why this rule is vital for ensuring fair housing and what’s at stake in Shelby King’s latest report: https://bit.ly/3Tt18O9 #FairHousing #AFFHRule #HousingEquity