The Bronx is at the forefront of a renewed push for affordable housing protections, as Our Bronx, a local nonprofit, publicly supports both the SAFER Homes Act and the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA). These initiatives aim to address the borough’s severe housing crisis, characterized by high eviction rates and a dwindling supply of affordable homes. The backing of these bills comes amidst ongoing debate and recent challenges to COPA’s legality, highlighting the complex landscape of housing policy in Novel York City.
Our Bronx, formerly known as the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, has long been a champion for tenant rights and affordable housing. The organization’s support for the SAFER Homes Act, sponsored by Councilmember Pierina Sanchez, signals a commitment to targeting negligent landlords and improving housing conditions in distressed buildings. Simultaneously, their continued advocacy for COPA reflects a broader strategy to prevent displacement and empower community-based organizations to acquire and preserve affordable housing stock. The convergence of these two efforts underscores a comprehensive approach to tackling the Bronx’s housing challenges.
SAFER Homes Act: Addressing Distressed Properties and Landlord Accountability
The SAFER Homes Act, introduced by Councilmember Pierina Sanchez representing the Kingsbridge Heights area, seeks to revitalize the city’s Third Party Transfer Program. This program, which was paused in 2019, allows the city to transfer ownership of distressed properties to nonprofit organizations or developers with the intention of rehabilitating them and maintaining affordability. However, the program faced criticism after a 2021 U.S. Court of Appeals ruling found it disproportionately impacted low-income homeowners of color. According to the Riverdale Press, Sanchez’s bill aims to refine the definition of “distressed” properties, focusing on landlords with a significant number of violations, thereby targeting larger, potentially more negligent property owners.
The original Third Party Transfer program, while intended to address housing quality, was found to have unintended consequences. The court ruling highlighted concerns about equitable application and the potential for disproportionate harm to vulnerable homeowners. The SAFER Homes Act represents an attempt to address these concerns by focusing on landlords who have demonstrably failed to maintain their properties, rather than targeting individual homeowners. This shift in focus aims to ensure that the program is used to address genuine cases of neglect and to protect vulnerable tenants.
COPA: Empowering Nonprofits to Preserve Affordable Housing
The Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA) is designed to give nonprofits a first opportunity to purchase multifamily buildings when owners decide to sell. This proactive approach aims to stabilize neighborhoods, combat speculation, and expand the availability of permanently affordable housing controlled by community land trusts and other mission-driven organizations. As detailed on the NYC Community Land Initiative website, cities like San Francisco that have implemented similar policies have successfully preserved thousands of affordable homes without hindering overall housing investment.
Despite its potential benefits, COPA has faced significant opposition and legal challenges. In December 2025, the City Council passed the bill, but it was subsequently vetoed by then-Mayor Eric Adams on his final day in office. The NYC Community Land Initiative reported that the City Council failed to override the veto in January 2026. This veto stemmed from concerns raised by the city’s Law Department, which argued that the bill could unlawfully restrict property owners’ rights. Despite this setback, supporters, including Councilmember Sandy Nurse, are committed to reintroducing COPA during the current legislative session.
Amendments and Ongoing Efforts to Revive COPA
Stakeholders are currently working to amend COPA to address the legal concerns raised by the city’s Law Department. These amendments include provisions for property owners to appeal if they believe COPA should not apply to their building and the implementation of confidentiality agreements for potential buyers. The Riverdale Press reported that Todd Baker, community development project manager at Our Bronx, confirmed Councilmember Nurse’s commitment to reintroducing the bill. These changes aim to strike a balance between empowering nonprofits and protecting the rights of property owners.
The debate surrounding COPA highlights the broader tensions in New York City’s housing market. Supporters argue that the bill is essential to preserving affordable housing and preventing displacement, while opponents contend that it could stifle investment and harm slight property owners. The outcome of the ongoing negotiations and the eventual fate of COPA will have significant implications for the future of affordable housing in the Bronx and throughout the city.
Our Bronx’s Targeted Approach and Community Engagement
Our Bronx has identified specific areas within the borough that are particularly suitable for COPA implementation. One such area is an apartment building located on Giles Place in Kingsbridge Heights, where a tenant association has already been established and regular meetings are taking place. According to the Riverdale Press, Edward Garcia, organizing co-director and development director at Our Bronx, emphasized the importance of community engagement in these efforts.
This targeted approach reflects a strategic effort to leverage COPA in areas where it can have the greatest impact. By working directly with tenant associations and local communities, Our Bronx aims to ensure that the implementation of COPA is responsive to the needs of residents and that the benefits of affordable housing preservation are widely shared. This grassroots approach is crucial to building support for COPA and ensuring its long-term success.
The Broader Context: New York City’s Housing Crisis
The push for SAFER Homes and COPA comes amid a severe housing crisis in New York City, particularly in the Bronx, which experiences the highest eviction rates in the city. The lack of affordable housing options has forced many residents to leave the borough, contributing to displacement and economic hardship. These legislative efforts represent a response to this crisis, aiming to stabilize communities and protect vulnerable tenants.
The New York City Community Land Initiative, of which Our Bronx is a part, is a coalition of housing justice organizations working to address the city’s housing challenges. The initiative’s support for COPA and the SAFER Homes Act reflects a shared commitment to preserving affordable housing and empowering communities to control their own housing destinies. The coalition’s collective efforts are essential to building momentum for these policies and ensuring their successful implementation.
The passage of COPA in December 2025, followed by the subsequent veto, underscores the political complexities surrounding housing policy in New York City. The bill’s fate remains uncertain, but the commitment of organizations like Our Bronx and the New York City Community Land Initiative suggests that the fight for affordable housing will continue. The reintroduction of COPA and the ongoing efforts to amend the bill demonstrate a determination to overcome the obstacles and create a more equitable housing system for all New Yorkers.
Looking ahead, the focus will be on securing the necessary votes to override a potential future veto of COPA and ensuring that the SAFER Homes Act is effectively implemented. The success of these initiatives will depend on continued community engagement, strong political leadership, and a commitment to addressing the root causes of the housing crisis. The next steps will likely involve further negotiations with the City Council and the Mayor’s office, as well as ongoing advocacy efforts to raise awareness and build support for these critical policies.
This is a developing story. Readers are encouraged to follow updates from the New York City Council and Our Bronx for the latest information on the SAFER Homes Act and COPA. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.