Welcome back to the LPNY State Download – our quarterly newsletter! Here’s a look at some of what LPNY has been up to the past few months – and what’s been happening across the state. To kick things off, we launched our Road to Good Cause campaign this summer. More information on that down below!
Our 2024 National Convening in Oakland brought together more than 420 local elected officials, partners, and allies, including 20 LPNY members!Â
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Members and partners had the opportunity to ground themselves in this year’s theme, “Rooted in Reshaping Our Future,” in over 60 different strategy meetings, workshops, and site visits. Check out our full recap here with our photo album on Facebook and highlights on Instagram and Twitter!
On June 3, Albany became the first city in New York to opt-in to Good Cause. By August, Kingston, Poughkeepsie, and Ithaca had followed suit, but millions of renters across the state still need these critical protections. That’s why we launched the Road To Good Cause campaign to win renter protections in every town, village, and city across New York.
Highlight from LPNY’s Road to Good Cause workshop on August 20, 2024.
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Our fight for Good Cause isn’t just about bringing some renter protections to each locality, but the strongest version possible. That’s why we developed the Gold Standard of Good Cause to bring a strong network of tenant protections across the state. While the state housing deal gave upstate communities leeway in how to implement Good Cause, this draft legislation will ensure the strongest version possible of Good Cause in any locality across the state.Â
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Across New York, local leaders are getting ready to fight for critical renter protections. In every town, village, and city, tenants and local elected officials are united in the fight to turn Good Cause Eviction Protections into law. We’ve mapped out every locality across the state with an active Good Cause campaign and every area where our movement has won! If you don’t see your town, village, or city on the map, check out our template legislation, ready to be introduced in your area. You can also go check out Housing Justice For All to get connected with tenant leaders fighting for Good Cause in your locality. If you missed our workshop in August, you can join our upcoming virtual briefing on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at 7pm ET. Register now!
This month, Local Progress NY’s Organizing Committee (OC) came together for a full day meeting in Kingston, New York. We welcomed our newest OC members, Ithaca Alderperson, Kayla Matos (read more about her in the Member Spotlight below!) and Syracuse Auditor, Alexander Marion. We strategized for 2025 and celebrated our wins this year. We were joined by one of our state coalition partners, Housing Justice 4 All, who facilitated a discussion on the housing policy landscape across the state. We also had a presentation from Michael Whitesides, Local Progress Deputy Communications Director, on intervention tools our members can leverage to drive the work across the state and localities. We welcomed back Jenn Mecozzi as our Co-Chair for the chapter and are excited to cause some good trouble! Our Organizing Committee members left the space re-energized and committed to the work of movement building and leadership for New York.
Local Progress NY also held a regional housing vision and strategy session this month in Kingston, New York. This meeting provided space for members and local partners to share housing priorities. Additionally, we discussed how we can move our housing strategies forward at the local level to advance state policy goals.Â
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Policy development, accessing local data, and communications support were uplifted as tools most urgently needed in our housing work. Across the region, members want to prioritize furthering tenant protections and expanding land preservation for affordable housing through programs such as land trusts and Community Opportunity to Purchase, all part of a comprehensive strategy to combat soaring rents. We will continue to work with our partners to push for housing that meets the needs of the communities our members serve.
Kayla Matos, a lifelong resident of Ithaca, NY, is a passionate advocate for progressive policy and social justice, distinguished by her impactful local leadership. Awarded the Kirby Edmonds Action Award for her significant contributions to social justice, Kayla has achieved notable successes as a Councilmember on the City of Ithaca Common Council. She has been at the forefront of addressing critical community issues, leading initiatives to enhance tenant protections, workers’ rights, and peacebuilding efforts.
Among her notable achievements, Kayla has led the effort to eliminate at-will employment in Ithaca, seeking to enhance job security and workers’ rights. She has also been pivotal in tackling staffing challenges at the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, advocating for a shift from contracted workers to in-house employees to boost job stability and operational efficiency. Furthermore, Kayla has been a leading advocate for a Ceasefire Resolution, which she successfully introduced and passed. She has also been a prominent supporter of Good Cause Eviction legislation, working to safeguard tenants’ rights. Through her diverse roles and advocacy, Kayla continues to drive meaningful change and work towards a more just and equitable society in Ithaca and beyond.
ARPA Deadline is Fast Approaching!
Leaders across the Local Progress network seized American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronaivrus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) for recovery programs informed by the principles of advancing equity, reimagining public safety and advancing worker’s rights. The deadline for local governments to obligate ARPA SLFRF funds is December 31, 2024. Remember, budgeting is not the same as obligating. For more information about what obligating means, check out this resource.Â
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🧰 New Resources:Â
In other news, here are some of our newest resources:
đź’ť LP CaucusesÂ
LP now has three identity-based Caucuses: the Black Caucus, Women’s Caucus, and our newest, the Nuestro Caucus, for Latinx members. Caucuses are a safe space for community building, organizing, and collective healing. Caucuses meet regularly to support elected officials in their governing and leadership positions. Our caucuses will have several opportunities for you to engage in this year. Sign up to join an identity caucus HERE.Â
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🏗 Be Part of our Partner Pipeline!
Are you a 501(c)4, Labor, Political Action Committees, Political Committees and pipeline partners whose work focuses on candidate identification, cultivation and endorsement of local races? We want to talk to you! LP and the Impact Lab are currently conducting an asset mapping to support the movement pipeline from elections to governance. Complete this form today to receive an invitation to our 2025 Partners Pipeline Briefing.Â
