48 Black Faith Leaders Urge New York City Council to Protect Black Homeowners from Airbnb Displacement

A coalition of 48 Black faith leaders delivered a letter to New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin on October 13, 2026, urging the council to protect Black homeowners from displacement driven by short-term rental platforms like Airbnb.

The clergy group, representing congregations across all five boroughs, was organized by the Black Homeowners Agenda and the Neighbors Not Profits coalition. Their letter asked the council to fund the Office of Special Enforcement to target illegal short-term rental listings, strengthen oversight of platforms like Airbnb, increase investment in Black homeownership through repair and foreclosure prevention programs, and partner with faith institutions as community resource hubs.

The leaders argued that illegal short-term rentals drive up housing costs in Black neighborhoods, pushing out long-term residents and homeowners. They said the city has the tools to act but has not used them aggressively enough.

The letter comes as New York City continues to grapple with a housing affordability crisis. Black homeownership rates in the city remain significantly lower than those of white residents, a gap that advocates say has widened in recent years.

The coalition said it plans to follow up with individual council members ahead of upcoming budget discussions.