Pratt Center

Community-driven planning and policy for a more just, sustainable New York City. Since 1963.

on Bluesky.

[Pratt Center @prattcenter]

We're now on Bluesky! New platform, same Pratt Center. Stay informed and follow us: https://t.co/H5x5fQeej1.

[Pratt Center @prattcenter]

If you listened to @WNYC's latest live conversation on #housing affordability, you might’ve caught Pratt Center’s Sylvia Morse on the panel, sharing our recent research on home flipping! Listen to the full conversation by streaming “NYC NOW” wherever you get your podcasts.

[🚇 Riders Alliance @RidersAlliance]

When we surveyed 1,800+ B41 riders alongside @prattcenter, more than half of the people we talked with said they'd shop more on Flatbush if only bus service was faster and more reliable

[MOCJ NYC @CrimJusticeNYC]

New Research Supports New York City’s Short-Term Rental Laws: https://t.co/rlUy7ULDmU

TL;DR: The @PrattCenter released a new report confirming Local Law 18 benefits legal short-term rental hosts...while stopping illegal operators and investors from taking our city's housing.

[Neighbors Not Profits @NNPNYC]

NYC's Short-Term Rental Law Benefits Homeowners over Investors: a new report from @prattcenter finds that STR regulations curb corporate competition and allow homeowners—predominantly in Brooklyn and Queens—to benefit from responsible home sharing

https://t.co/AiFvKDgqnr

[Pratt Center @prattcenter]

🚨 New policy brief from Pratt Center with @NNPNYC.

As industry lobbyists push to weaken NYC’s Short-Term Rental Registration Law in the name of homeowners, our latest analysis finds that it is actually benefiting homeowners over investors.

Read on: https://t.co/r4MornjtmY

[NYC Base Campaign @nyc_base]

The May 20 floods across NYC are another reminder: basement tenants can’t wait for safe, legal homes. We applaud @NYCMayor's Block-by-Block plan for investing in basement legalization — a fight BASE has led for 15+ years. Dedicated funding is exactly the right starting point.

[Gothamist @Gothamist]

Some 10,000 homes were flipped in the five boroughs from 2021 to 2025, with the highest rates of activity in disproportionately Black sections of the city: https://t.co/V4GWoiQ0Tq

[City Limits @CityLimitsNews]

Less than a year before Lorne Wright purchased his home in Jamaica, Queens, for $700,000, an LLC bought it for $285,000. It's a textbook example of a “flip”: where investors buy homes below market and resell them within a year or two, for massive markup. https://t.co/qAyl4JYSzS

[City Limits @CityLimitsNews]

An increasing number of family homes in the outer boroughs are sold within two years of being bought—at huge markups. Some lawmakers say the tactics are predatory, targeting neighborhoods with Black homeowners. Via @patrickspauster: https://t.co/qAyl4JYSzS

[WNYC 🎙 @WNYC]

Home flipping — the practice of quickly buying and reselling properties, often from distressed owners — is driving up home prices and reducing affordability in New York City neighborhoods with significant Black populations. https://t.co/OzIkS7eNGa

[Pratt Center @prattcenter]

Announcing the OneLIC Oversight Task Force! Convened to track commitments from the 2025 rezoning, it brings residents, community leaders, and City agencies together to share updates and ensure accountability. Facilitated by Pratt Center.

Learn more: https://t.co/ptN1IaOXj6

[NY Renews @NYRenews]

Is your gas utility bill too high? You’re not alone. Even as New Yorkers use 18% less gas than in 2018, the typical gas bill has increased 6% each year. Let’s break down why 🧵👇

[Pratt Center @prattcenter]

Important reporting on new eligibility criteria for the State’s EmPower+ program!

Pratt Center research identified income eligibility rules as a major barrier, so this an important step toward expanding access for NYC’s low- and moderate-income communities. Read more ⬇️

[City Limits @CityLimitsNews]

The state is adjusting income eligibility criteria for Empower+, which funds energy-saving building upgrades. Previous rules made it hard for NYC households to qualify: since 2010, only 7% of the program’s retrofit projects were in the five boroughs. https://t.co/dtLFqwRJDM

[NY Renews @NYRenews]

NY is violating its own climate law. It's time to make polluters pay and invest that money back into our communities to lower energy bills, create tens of thousands of jobs in renewable energy and building upgrades, and create green, healthy homes:

https://t.co/B07ot0i8jN

[NY Renews @NYRenews]

On March 10, we're going to Albany with @InvestinOurNY & @MaketheRoadNY to tell Gov. Hochul: DEFEND NY, FUND OUR FUTURE!

In a time of crisis, we need bold action to protect immigrants, make polluters pay, and tax the rich!

RSVP link in bio and here: https://t.co/qeNjMeBM3Q

[Pratt Center @prattcenter]

The city will hold a hearing this week on DOB rules for a basement legalization program — but, as our Director of Research & Policy Sylvia Morse said today in @THECITYNY, "these rules cannot be passed as is, or else the program will fail." Read more below:

[The City Reporter @THECITYNY]

A program meant to allow homeowners to transform unauthorized spaces like basement apartments into above-board units is coming under fire for “cartoonishly absurd” proposed rules.

https://t.co/Ud6fPJWfdQ

[Cooper Square Committee @CooperSq]

It's crunch time for COPA! The Community Opportunity to Purchase Act is close to passing in the NYC Council. We need your help to ensure the bill passes this year. Click to email your City Council Member & Speaker Adams: https://t.co/5UwTpVKeco

[NYC Base Campaign @nyc_base]

We are heartbroken by reports of the two fatalities in basements following the heavy rainfall yesterday.
See the BASE Coalition's full statement calling on the city to launch the basement and cellar conversion program without further delay to help prevent future tragedies.

[NYCCLI @NYCCLI]

BIG NEWS: #COPA now has a veto-proof majority in the NYC Council! The bill would stabilize affordable housing & curb displacement by giving community land trusts and other qualified nonprofits a first right to purchase buildings when a landlord sells. Let's pass #COPA this year!

[NYC Parks @NYCParks]

We're proud to join @NYCDDC & community partners to re-open new sections of East River Park. There's a lot to celebrate in this phase, including new sports fields, the return of our amphitheater, & a park that helps protect NYers from climate change. That's a lot to shout about!