Community Service Society of New York

Under current law, cities must run expensive, time consuming surveys to prove vacancy rates are below 5% before they can opt into rent stabilization. Many smaller or under-resourced local governments simply can’t afford this—and when they try, landlords often challenge the results in court, dragging out the process and blocking protections.

Even when the need is clear, action gets delayed. The REST Act would fix this by letting cities use existing public data, so they can move faster and actually protect renters.

Visit the link in the comments to read our new brief!

Governor Kathy Hochul , health aides, restaurant workers, delivery drivers, and working parents raising young families are counting on you.
Nearly 500,000 people will lose health coverage this summer if New York fails to act. Don’t let federal cuts jeopardize the safety of families and communities across the state.

You've created a contingency fund to protect us from federal health care cuts. . Gustavo Rivera and Assemblywoman Amy R. Paulin have put forward a plan to keep these New Yorkers covered. You have the tools and resources.

Please act now to protect our health care.

Fair Fares helps hundreds of thousands of low income New Yorkers get where they need to go—work, school, medical care, and more. But many eligible riders are still missing out, and even with the discount, transit remains too expensive for too many.

A new brief looks at what’s working, what isn’t, and what it will take to make transit truly affordable—starting with automatic enrollment, free transit for the lowest income New Yorkers, and better bus service.

Find the links to the report in the comments!

Winter eviction is not just a housing issue—it’s a public health risk.

As climate change drives more extreme cold, New York continues to face an acute homelessness crisis. Evictions during the winter months increase the risk of harm, especially for tenants already facing instability.

New research shows eviction risk varies widely across the state and falls unevenly on Black and Latino tenants—underscoring the need for stronger protections during the coldest months.

Full brief in the comments!

We’re proud to partner with Eddie Gibbs on this Second Chance Awareness Event, connecting community members with legal support and reentry resources.

Our Next Door Project will be there offering legal consultations and record‑sealing assistance.

📅 April 30
📍 East Harlem

Housing code violations and evictions often go hand in hand.

Research shows that speculative investors in low income communities of color are more likely to neglect their buildings and pursue evictions than other landlords.

The Clean Hands Act would strengthen enforcement of existing habitability standards and prevent landlords with open housing code violations from filing eviction cases—creating a clearer path to accountability.

Drop a comment to receive our new brief via DM

For 13 years, Rehan has been on the front lines as a Community Health Advocate—helping New Yorkers cut through red tape, navigate a complex health care system, and get the care they deserve.

In 2025, CHA supported more than 33,000 New Yorkers across all 62 counties, delivering services in 38 languages. With a cost of just $147 per case and over $25 million in consumer savings, CHA delivers a 407% return on investment for New York State.

Climate change is reshaping New York City’s housing.

Hotter summers, heavier rainfall, and rising energy costs are making homes less safe and making it harder to maintain housing stability.

This Earth Day, we examine how climate risks affect different types of housing, and the strategies needed to protect residents while preserving affordability.

We’re honored to receive a grant from the New York Bar Foundation in support of CSS’s Next Door Project—an especially meaningful achievement during Second Chance Month.

This funding strengthens our work providing legal support to New Yorkers with criminal records, addressing barriers to employment and economic stability that disproportionately impact Black men and women, who face unemployment rates as high as 35.2% and 43.6%, respectively, as they pursue second chances and reintegration.

Thank you to the New York Bar Foundation for supporting a more equitable New York.