NEW YORK – The New York State Tenant Bloc launched today, a new organization dedicated to winning safe, stable homes for all by building a united bloc of 250,000 tenants and homeless New Yorkers, organized from their buildings to the ballot box. The Tenant Bloc aims to break the real estate industry’s control over New Yorker’s homes, neighborhoods, and democracy – and bring back the working class from the right.
The NYS Tenant Bloc is a new sister organization to statewide coalition Housing Justice for All, which won massive protections for rent stabilized tenants in 2019, one of the longest-lasting and strongest eviction moratoria in the country during the pandemic, the largest expansion of tenant rights in 50 years last year with Good Cause Eviction Protections in the New York State Budget, and 13 opt-in campaigns for Good Cause across upstate New York.
“Tenants are half the state and a majority in every major city. United we have the power to reclaim our homes from the stranglehold of the real estate industry,” said Cea Weaver, Director of the NYS Tenant Bloc. “For too long a small group of landlords and developers have controlled our homes, neighborhoods, and even our democracy. They’ve used their outsized power to increase their profits and raise rents, making the state less affordable every day. It’s time to break the real estate industry’s grip on our lives and make New York a state where everyone – whether we rent or own– has safety, stability, and control over their housing.”
“Housing is a human right, and tenants are a force,” said Joanne Grell, rent-stabilized tenant in the Bronx and co-leader of the campaign to freeze the rent. “The NYS Tenant Bloc will turn rent payers into a voting power! We will prove that our votes are as powerful as our rent. We demand a rent freeze and will use our votes to elect a mayor who puts tenants first.”
The Tenant Vote Can Reverse New York’s Shift to the Right
The right is on the rise in New York and around the country, fueled in part by the cost of living crisis and perception that mainstream politicians have failed the working class. Frustrated by skyrocketing rents and deteriorating homes, many tenants have lost faith in the political system or voted for right wing populist candidates. Disenfranchised by housing instability, tenants have long voted at lower rates than homeowners.
By activating tenants to vote together for measures that can ease the cost-of-living crisis, the Tenant Bloc can reverse New York’s shift to the right. Tenants are a majority in all major New York cities and tend to vote progressive. Data shows that increasing housing stability and giving tenants faith that candidates will deliver for them can increase tenant turnout and make the difference in close elections. A 1% decrease in evictions would have resulted in a 3% increase in voter turnout in the 2016 presidential election, according to a study by Princeton’s Eviction Lab. When candidates run on pro-tenant policies, the voter turnout disparity between homeowners and tenants gets cut nearly in half, according to a Cornell University analysis.
“The data underscore the importance of tenant engagement in the electoral process,” said Dr. Russell Weaver, Director of Research at the Cornell University Buffalo ILR Co-Lab. “We found emerging evidence that candidates who campaign on housing affordability and tenant protections, such as Good Cause Eviction Protections, have the potential to significantly boost renter turnout – which could be decisive in tightly contested races. Elected positions at all levels of government are disproportionately and overwhelmingly occupied by homeowners, even as states like New York are on the verge of becoming majority renter. The formation of the NYS Tenant Bloc is a meaningful and necessary step for tenants to capture real political power.”
In 2025 the Tenant Bloc Will Freeze the Rent and Expand Good Cause
The Tenant Bloc’s first campaign, in partnership with Housing Justice for All and its member organizations, is to win a rent freeze in New York City by building a tenant voting bloc who will only vote for candidates who’ve committed to the demand. Simultaneously, in Central New York, the Capital District, and Westchester, the Bloc and Housing Justice for All are using Good Cause opt-in campaigns to activate tenants as first-time voters and election volunteers. Through these campaigns, the Bloc will build statewide towards the 2026 gubernatorial and state legislature elections – when real estate-backed Governor Hochul will be up for election.
In New York City, Mayor Adams, who’s said himself “I am real estate,” is up for election, and real estate-favorite Cuomo is poised to throw his hat in the ring. Adams won by less than 10,000 votes last election – and over 2.4 million rent stabilized tenants have seen their rents go up 9% under the Adams-controlled Rent Guidelines Board.
The Tenant Bloc will channel the anger and discontent of rent stabilized tenants into a source of power: organizing tens of thousands of tenants to only vote for candidates agreeing to freeze the rent. Already, three candidates have embraced the demand for a rent freeze: State Senator Jessica Ramos, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, and former Assemblymember Michael Blake.
“Housing prices are crushing our city’s working families,” said New York City Comptroller and New York City mayoral candidate Brad Lander. “For years former Governor Andrew Cuomo failed to protect tenants by blocking legislation that would have closed loopholes in the City’s rent regulations laws, causing thousands of families to be harassed and evicted out of their homes. The launch of New York State Tenant Bloc is a win for the broad coalition working to create genuinely inclusive growth that makes New York City thrive by protecting tenants and creating much more affordable housing in our communities. When tenants vote, democracy wins.”
“Housing is a human right, and the New York State Tenant Bloc is a powerful force to make that right a reality,” said State Senator and New York City mayoral candidate Jessica Ramos. “By organizing tenants across the state, we are addressing the root causes of the affordability crisis and giving working people the tools to fight back. This movement is a step toward fairness and equity in housing.”
“The real estate industry will never solve the housing crisis—but organized tenants can,” said Assemblymember and New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. “I am so excited for the launch of the New York State Tenant Bloc and can’t wait to work alongside them to build power for the majority.”
“For decades, New York has defunded public goods such as schools, healthcare, housing, and infrastructure while investing in corporate giveaways, luxury development, and prisons and jails,” said Jasmine Gripper, Co-Director of the New York Working Families Party. “Meanwhile, working families are facing a worsening affordability crisis, and our rent is still too damn high. We have a real opportunity to engage renters to leverage their voting power and elect leaders who prioritize working families over corporate landlords and billionaires —the NYS Tenant Bloc will work towards just that.”
“The Tenant Bloc is not just about housing—it’s about democracy,” said Assembly Housing Committee Chair Linda Rosenthal. “When tenants are organized and engaged, they can hold politicians accountable and push for policies that make housing stable and affordable. This effort will strengthen our communities and give hope to families struggling to make ends meet.”
“The housing crisis is not just a policy failure—it’s a moral failure,” said State Senator Jabari Brisport. “The Tenant Bloc is taking action to correct this by giving tenants the power to fight for their homes and their futures. This is a critical step toward justice and equality for renters.”
“For too long, the housing crisis has pushed families to the brink while enriching a small group of landlords and developers,” said State Senator Julia Salazar. “The New York State Tenant Bloc will ensure tenants are no longer overlooked and unheard. This is how we bring democracy back to the people and create safe, affordable homes for all.
“The launch of the Tenant Bloc marks a turning point in the fight for housing justice,” said Assemblymember Harvey Epstein. “By organizing tenants into a powerful voting bloc, this movement is shifting the balance of power away from landlords and developers. We are building a future where everyone can afford to live with dignity.”
“As a tenant organizer who ran for office, I know exactly the potential of the Tenant Bloc,” said Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest. “Tenants are the backbone of our cities, yet their needs are often ignored by politicians and overshadowed by big money interests. The New York State Tenant Bloc will change that by ensuring renters have a united voice in our democracy. This is how we build power, strengthen communities, and bring housing justice to New York.”
““As a tenant myself, and the Assemblymember of a district composed of more than 80 percent renters, the issues facing tenants are deeply personal to me,” said Assemblymember Emily Gallagher. “When people can afford to live in New York, with affordable and predictably stable rent, our community thrives. Tenants are the lifeblood of our state, and I am thrilled that the Tenant Bloc will be organizing this critical group so we can realize our political power as tenants!”
“By organizing tenants to vote, our voices say we are stronger together,” said Assemblymember Demond Meeks. “By giving power back to the people, we gain a way to fight back against rising rent and unethical housing practices. The New York State Tenant Bloc is a critical step toward strengthening the voice of renters. We must ensure that affordability, accessibility, and stability return to housing.”
“Building tenant power at the ballot box is a game-changer for our state,” said Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes. “The New York State Tenant Bloc will not only give renters a collective voice but also reinvigorate civic participation in communities long ignored by politics. This is a movement to restore fairness, stability, and hope to our housing system.”
“For years, REBNY and private equity have dumped millions of dollars into elections to buy off our representatives,” said Assemblymember Claire Valdez. “The New York Tenant Bloc is our response. Tenants—not venture capitalists and corporate landlords—make our state run, and when we organize together we have the power to win stable, affordable, and beautiful housing for everyone.”
“For too long, the real estate lobby has undermined tenant protections and displaced New Yorkers from their communities,” said New York City Council Member Shahana Hanif, Co-Chair of NYC Council Progressive Caucus. “The New York State Tenant Bloc will put power in the hands of the renting majority and combat our affordability crisis. Together, we will win a rent freeze for our City’s rent-stabilized tenants.”
“The Tenant Bloc’s initiative to organize 250,000 tenant voters is a testament to the power of collective action,” said Council Member Sandy Nurse, Co-Chair of the NYC Council Progressive Caucus. “This bloc will play a crucial role in electing officials who are truly representative of and responsive to the needs of renters.”
“Organizing tenants is the bedrock to true housing reform in our city,” said New York City Council Member Carmen De La Rosa.” It was through focused tenant organizing and legal action that the tenants of 705 and 709 W 170th street managed to throw the twice-named #1 Worst Landlord in Rikers and begin a path of homeownership to buy their buildings. Unscrupulous landlords are not in it for the people, and it’s about time the people got their power back. The Tenant Bloc can reshape our political landscape in favor of renters and the working class.”
“Disinvestment has left tenants across New York State struggling,” said Rochester City Council Member and VOCAL-NY Political Director Kim Smith. “As we’ve seen with various local opt-ins to Good Cause, victories aren’t given—they’re won through organized fights at both the local and state levels. I’m thrilled about the launch of the NYS Tenant Bloc. Endorsing and supporting tenant champions is one of the most effective strategies to combat the housing crisis.”
“New York needs pro-tenant majorities in City Halls and the State Capitol,” said Syracuse City Auditor Alex Marion. “The Tenant Bloc is a smart tool to build power and win key elections. I commend the organizers who made this possible and will fight for tenant power in upstate, downstate, and everywhere in between.”
“The formation of the Tenant Bloc signifies a shift in electoral dynamics,” said Binghamton City Councilmember Nate Hotchkiss. “Candidates who wish to succeed must now prioritize tenant concerns, knowing that a substantial and organized voting bloc stands ready to support them.”
“Housing is a human right, and it must be treated as such,” said Ithaca Acting Mayor Kayla Matos. “The creation of the Tenant Bloc empowers tenants to take collective action and amplify our voices in a political arena where we are often marginalized. With the Tenant Bloc, we are building the infrastructure to hold elected officials accountable and ensure that affordable and stable housing for all is not just a promise, but a reality.”
“For too long renters’ voices have been disproportionately small compared to their numbers,” said Ithaca Common Council Member Ducson Nguyen. “The New York State Tenant Bloc will ensure their calls for quality and affordable housing are represented by their elected leaders statewide.
“Now, more than ever, we need strong grassroots organizations to help lead and pave the way for housing justice,” said Newburgh City Council Member Giselle Martinez. “I am incredibly grateful for existing organizations and welcome our newest one, Tenant Bloc, who will join the fight in achieving pro-tenant policies and unite tenants across NY.”
“Where politicians stand on tenant rights is one of the clearest ways they show whose side they’re on: the working class or the owning class,” said Grace Mausser, Co-Chair of NYC-DSA. “For years, DSA candidates have shown that rejecting real estate money and campaigning to keep rents low wins elections. When we force organizing to show whose side they’re on, tenants come together to unseat politicians who serve the 1%. By organizing tenants into a united voting force, the New York State Tenant Bloc will ensure New York is a place where everyone can afford to live, not just the wealthy few.”
“Tenants are the majority of New Yorkers. It’s time our politics reflect that.” said Olivia Leirer, Executive Director of New York Communities for Change. “The Tenant Bloc will create the political force to hold our state accountable to meeting the needs of tenants. “
“New York City has one of the most volatile and profitable housing markets in the world,” said Sasha Wijeyeratne, Executive Director of CAAAV Voice. “Real estate forces such as the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) and the New York Apartment Association (NYAA) have literally bought our electeds, even including our Mayor. Yet the vast majority of people in New York City – 70% – are renters. We are the majority. Real estate may have the money, but we have the people. We are building a tenant bloc that will force electeds to put renters before real estate. You will no longer be able to call yourself progressive and run for office in New York without supporting and protecting tenants – including supporting a four year rent freeze in New York City.”
“Renters are an electoral sleeping giant being awoken by the new Tenant Bloc — just as we head into two huge election years, and just as our state’s politics becomes laser focused on affordability,” said Gabe Tobias, political strategist. “Any politician who sides with the corrupt real estate industry over our four million tenant families is about to learn that lesson the hard way.”