FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 28, 2026
Today, the NYC Community Land Initiative coalition issued the following statement:
“Make no mistake: In choosing not to override Eric Adams’ veto of the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA), the New York City Council is siding with the real estate lobby over the interests of working-class New Yorkers and communities of color.
“Across New York City, communities are demanding solutions to the affordability crisis that is pushing hundreds of thousands of low-income and Black and Brown New Yorkers out of the city they call home.
“COPA—which the Council passed with overwhelming support in December—would have given community land trusts (CLTs) and other mission-driven housing organizations, working with organized tenants, a fighting chance to stabilize buildings and preserve long-term affordability.
“Instead, Council Members succumbed to the real estate lobby, which intentionally sowed disinformation and spent heavily to preserve a status quo that prioritizes profit over people.
“COPA is strongly backed by a broad coalition of 200+ organizations—including CLTs, tenant associations, community development corporations, homeownership advocates, and community development financial institutions. The coalition will continue fighting for this proven measure to combat speculation and keep working class New Yorkers in New York City.
“We thank Council Member Sandy Nurse and other Council champions who fought hard and stood strong in support of COPA. We look forward to working with Mayor Mamdani, Speaker Menin, and the full City Council to swiftly reintroduce and enact COPA this year.”
nyccli.org 