48 Black Faith Leaders Demand New York City Council Protect Black Homeowners from Short-Term Rental Displacement

A coalition of 48 Black faith leaders from all five New York City boroughs delivered a letter to City Council Speaker Julie Menin on October 13, 2026, demanding legislative action to protect Black homeowners from displacement linked to short-term rental platforms like Airbnb.

The group, organized under the "Black Homeowners Agenda" and the "Neighbors Not Profits" coalition, outlined five policy priorities in the letter. They called for stronger oversight and enforcement against illegal short-term rentals, direct investment in Black homeownership programs including foreclosure prevention and energy-saving initiatives, protections against predatory real estate investors, additional resources for the city's Office of Special Enforcement, and partnerships with houses of worship to serve as local resource hubs for homeowners.

The clergy members argue that the proliferation of short-term rentals in predominantly Black neighborhoods has accelerated the displacement of long-term residents and contributed to rising housing costs. They say Black homeowners, many of whom have held properties for generations, are particularly vulnerable to investor buyouts and illegal conversion of nearby units.

The letter comes as New York City continues to grapple with a housing affordability crisis. The city enacted stricter short-term rental regulations in 2023, but enforcement has been inconsistent, and advocates say illegal listings remain widespread.

Faith leaders say they are prepared to organize congregants and apply political pressure if the City Council does not act on their demands before the end of the year. Several of the signatories represent churches in neighborhoods including Harlem, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and the South Bronx, where housing displacement has been most acute.