2024 was a year of incredible resistance, collective action, and unwavering commitment to building tenant power across New York State. From powerful marches and rallies to inspiring testimonies and strategic lobbying, our coalition fought tirelessly to protect and expand tenants’ rights, stop evictions, and keep tenants housed. Together with tenants, organizers, lawyers, and advocates, we took bold steps forward in the fight for statewide Right to Counsel and an eviction free New York. Here's a look back at our collective work – our challenges, learnings, and victories. 
WINTER
• In January, we started the year with a powerful State of Evictions Forum and march on Governor Hochul, where over 100 tenants, organizers, attorneys, and advocates gathered at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Albany to strategize about a future where no one is evicted and housing is a human right. Later on that month, we reached a major milestone for our coalition, celebrating 10 years of building tenant power! We reflected on the progress we’ve made over the last decade with food, drinks, music, and dancing – and geared up for the work ahead. And, we also continued to do Court Watch. In January alone, we spoke to almost 1,000 NYC tenants who were being denied their right to attorney and stood in solidarity with tenant leaders in the Bronx and Queens who were facing eviction.
• February was a busy month for us! Coalition members testified at the NYC Office of Civil Justice’s annual public hearing on RTC and at the state budget hearing on housing, pushing for the passage and funding of RTC: Randy Dillard, a member of our RTC steering committee, spoke powerfully about the 175,000 tenants facing eviction in New York, emphasizing that many will be forced to navigate the system without legal representation. We also participated in NYSABPRHAL caucus weekend in Albany (for the first time ever!) where Community Action for Safe Apartments (CASA) tenant leaders presented a powerful workshop with Senator Jose Serrano on defending and expanding RTC. And in Queens, coalition members Catholic Migration Services (CMS), Woodside on the Move, and Chhaya held a Queens Town Hall to raise awareness about tenants being denied their rights in housing court, discuss our solutions to the crisis, and build momentum for our statewide RTC legislation.
• In March, we organized a successful postcard drive, with thousands of tenants sending postcards in support of statewide RTC to state leadership. We also led three lobby days in Albany, where coalition members from Albany, Westchester, Brooklyn, and Manhattan took action. And, amidst a busy budget season, we held a day of action in Albany, starting with a press conference and rally on the Million Dollar Staircase in the State Capitol to announce overwhelming support from legal services providers for our statewide RTC legislation and then ended the day with several skits showcasing the vital role RTC plays in stopping evictions inside and outside the courts.
SPRING
• We ended the state budget season with a march and rally at Governor Hochul’s office in NYC, demanding the passage of Statewide RTC and $260 million to fund it. At the rally, we also highlighted the need for meaningful tenant representation in the courts and emphasized that NYS tenants need real change. Although both the Senate and the Assembly supported the creation of an Office of Civil Representation to pilot RTC, Governor Hochul and legislative leadership failed to include RTC in the final budget. You can read our full statement on the budget here.
• We also stood in solidarity with legal services workers at MFJ Union, who were demanding better compensation and working conditions – RTC needs well-resourced workers for a just and sustainable implementation!
SUMMER
• In June, we brought together nearly 50 members from across the state for our 2nd annual Housing Courts Must Change! Campaign retreat. During the retreat we developed strong priorities for the next year, engaged in political education, and deepened our relationships with each other. We ended the retreat with a collective reflection on our vision for an eviction free world and turned our writing, collages, paintings, and drawings into our first RTC zine, which you can view a digital version of here.
• In the spring, we re-launched our law school “Road Show” as part of our tenant-attorney pipeline initiative. And in July, we hosted our first Summer Mixer for law student interns! This event brought together passionate, future housing attorneys who will one day drive the implementation of statewide RTC for all New Yorkers! You can hear from a few of them directly on why they want to become tenant attorneys here.
• In August, our RTC BBQ at Riverside Park was a well deserved celebration for our coalition members. We bonded over food, music, and even weathered a storm together. It was a true celebration of community and solidarity.
FALL
• In September, the Bronstein Tenants Union, supported by CMS, led a powerful action, demanding an end to harassment and neglect and that the state legislature pass Statewide RTC and Clean Hands legislation to protect all NYS tenants from eviction and displacement.
• In October, we presented at the first-ever International Zero Evictions Marathon, hosted by the Center for Human Rights of the University of Padua and the International Alliance of Inhabitants. Our presentation shared three core strategies we use to fight evictions: rent strikes and crowdfunding, court-packing, and direct action eviction defense. Later that month, we held an energizing Art Build with Flatbush Tenant Coalition and HOPE, where we created banners for future actions at housing court.
• In November, coalition member, CASA, and a tenant association they’re organizing with held a press conference to spotlight their fight for better living conditions and the right to stay in their homes. Three tenants in a 20-unit building are facing eviction due to landlord neglect, unsafe living conditions, and lack of gas. Tenants united to raise their concerns and demand change.
• In December, we celebrated a monumental victory for tenants at Brooklyn Housing Court. The 1616 President Street Tenant Association secured a massive win, cancelling $250,000 in back rent through a years-long rent strike and utilizing the Rent Impairing Violations (RIV) defense! Tenants rallied outside the court to commemorate this victory, with Ruth Riddick, a Flatbush Tenant Coalition tenant leader and RTC coalition steering committee member, uplifting RTC as a vital tool for transforming housing courts and empowering tenants to take control from landlords. What a way to end 2024!
TAKE ACTION: Organize to stop evictions!
As we continue the work in 2025, amidst a worsening eviction crisis and political climate that continues to threaten our communities, we re-commit to holding space for our movement, our communities, and ourselves. We remain grounded in our principles, our dedication to building tenant power, and our vision of an eviction free future. There is so much work ahead of us and everyone has a role to play! Join us this year to continue building tenant power:
Work with us!
We’re looking for an amazing senior campaign organizer to join our team. Click here to learn more about the position and on how to apply.
Interested in getting involved in other ways?
Click here to learn more about ways you can take action with RTC in 2025! And we’re also looking for interns and court watch volunteers!
In Solidarity,
