Rev. Dr. Johnnie Green, Jr. Urges City Council to Move Forward with Intro. 948B Amid Rising Cost of Living for Black and Brown Homeowners

Rev. Dr. Johnnie Green, Jr., the President and CEO of Mobilizing Preachers and Communities (MPAC), issued the following statement ahead of tomorrow’s expected Housing and Building Committee vote on Intro. 948B, which would then allow it to go to the full Council for approval. If passed, the legislation would unlock simple yet profound tools for Black and Brown homeowners in the outer boroughs to address the rising cost of living by doing short-term rentals.  

“It is as incomprehensible as it is shameful that HTC would seek to undermine the agenda of the first Black woman to lead the New York City Council in her final weeks, on a piece of legislation that has no impact on them but means the world to her and many others’ constituents. Let’s not have short memories and forget that HTC was the same entity that backed disgusting ads by Tenants Not Tourists around this bill just a few weeks ago. Their 11th-hour attempts to flip members against the agenda of New York’s first Black Speaker have gone from dog whistling to overt shouting. I pray members find their courage and remember their duty, their legacy is how they impact their constituents — not what committee they lead.”