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Introducing Abundant New York: An Independent Expenditure Committee for NY Candidates Committed to Solving the Housing Crisis

Launched by Open New York as a multi-year, multimillion-dollar effort to elect pro-housing majorities in New York’s State Legislature and local governments

New York, NY – Today, Open New York, the state’s leading grassroots, pro-housing advocacy organization, announced the launch of Abundant New York, an independent expenditure (IE) committee aimed at electing pro-housing majorities in the State Legislature, as well as in cities, towns, and villages throughout New York.

Abundant New York will support candidates who are focused on comprehensive pro-housing policies to fix the state’s worsening housing affordability crisis, which voters routinely rank as one of their top issues. As the housing crisis threatens New York’s future as an economic, cultural, and immigrant hub, Abundant New York promises to elect candidates who will fight for a more sustainable and more affordable Empire State.

“The rising housing costs that affect millions of New Yorkers every year are not inevitable – they are a policy choice. Abundant New York is set on electing champions who will fix our state’s broken and outdated housing policies,” said Annemarie Gray, Executive Director of Open New York. “In many thriving cities around the world, prices do not rise every year, and people searching for a home do not face extremely limited options. New Yorkers are hurt by the inaction of our legislators, and this new electoral strategy will give voice to the majority of New Yorkers who are tired of ever-rising costs just to live here. There is a growing cohort of legislators in New York who are proposing serious solutions to our housing crisis. We intend to support those legislators, and to build on that momentum.”

With an immediate focus on the 2024 state legislative races and the 2025 municipal elections in New York City, Abundant New York will establish the first comprehensive statewide campaign focused on ending our chronic and extreme housing shortage. The fund is dedicated to:

• Electing champions who will be new voices in support of pro-housing policies.

• Protecting pro-housing incumbents facing competitive elections.

• Defeating anti-housing incumbents who have failed to address the crisis with urgency.

“Syracuse and Central New York are going through a severe and unprecedented housing crisis. I have made a concerted effort to focus on solutions that will result in more housing supply and affordability,” said Rachel May, State Senator for District 53 and Open New York endorsee. “I am thrilled to receive the Open New York endorsement, as they have been an important new voice on finding comprehensive solutions to the housing crisis. I look forward to continuing to advocate for more housing, more tenant rights, and stronger communities.”

“The status quo has failed in delivering stable homes as a basic need to New Yorkers. We must strive to have an abundance of quality homes where people can put down their roots and live without the fear of uncertainty,” said Sarahana Shrestha, Assembly Member for District 103 and Open New York endorsee, “The people who make the Hudson Valley what it is should be able to afford living here with the quality of life they deserve.”

As a grassroots organization with over 600 dues-paying members in 12 chapters spread across the state, Open New York advocates for a comprehensive policy agenda to protect tenants struggling with housing affordability and to build enough housing to finally end the crisis. Open New York has been pivotal in promoting reforms like the SoHo/NoHo and Gowanus rezonings in New York City and the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act in the State Legislature. As the electoral arm of Open New York, Abundant New York will amplify the organization’s impact by supporting pro-housing candidates and electeds, and holding accountable those who aren’t.

Abundant New York’s efforts will complement Open New York’s legislative campaigns, grassroots member organizing, and public education work. It will tailor its election efforts to fit the specific needs of each race, using diverse tactics including the complete roster of traditional, multilingual independent expenditure activities (paid canvassing; advertising; mail; digital; paid and traditional media). This will build on the existing member-driven grassroots actions, like door knocking and phone banking, that Open New York has traditionally offered the candidates it endorses.

“Abundant New York will allow Open New York to broaden its mission, and more effectively advocate for better housing options throughout New York,” said Michelle Kuppersmith, Board Chair of Open New York. “Abundant New York will ensure that our representatives quickly deliver real solutions to the housing crisis. As a longtime member, I’ve been thrilled to see Open New York’s growth, and today’s announcement is the next step toward becoming a more effective statewide organization.”

Open New York and Abundant New York do not receive money from the real estate or development industries. This new IE initiative, controlled by Open New York’s 501(c)(4), is supported by a diverse group of members and individuals motivated to seriously address the wide-ranging consequences of the housing affordability crisis on New Yorkers. The growing investment in Open New York’s expansion reflects an expanding donor network passionate about solving New York’s housing crisis.

Successful pro-housing movements across the country have emphasized the power of representatives who are committed to quickly and tangibly addressing the housing crisis. Housing champions have also seen that pro-housing policies are winning politics. In Oregon, Tina Kotek was elected Governor on a proudly pro-housing platform, while in California and Massachusetts, pro-housing leaders have been elevated to Attorneys General. A recent Pew poll showed that New York State has a clear pro-housing majority that is ready to support legislators who advance serious solutions to the housing crisis.

“Open New York is the strongest pro-housing voice in New York, and a national leader in the pro-housing movement. Electing a pro-housing majority and supporting pro-housing leaders have been vital to our success in California, and Abundant New York will make that happen in the Empire State,” said Brian Hanlon, CEO of California YIMBY. “Today, California voters expect that their representatives will pass pro-housing legislation. Lawmakers routinely ask us which bills will help end the housing crisis, because they know voters will recognize and reward their efforts. As we’ve seen in California, the key to legislative success is a persistent effort from a geographically, racially, and ideologically diverse coalition. I have no doubt that Abundant New York will rally this same dynamic coalition to tackle New York's housing challenges head-on and deliver real, impactful change.”

From California to Maine, state legislatures across the country have passed significant pro-housing laws over the past decade to require faster and more equitable housing development. New York has failed to follow suit, and in turn our housing shortage has deepened relative to our peer states. For example, in the New York City region, suburban counties in New Jersey built five-to-ten times as much housing as suburban counties on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley between 2014 and 2021, providing more choices to renters and buyers. Even inside New York, suburban areas in Westchester that saw substantial housing growth between 2017 and 2023 saw minimal price increases, while areas on Long Island that experienced no growth experienced significant, harmful price increases.

“Now, more than ever, we need courageous elected officials who will fight for a more affordable New York,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. “I commend Open New York for commencing this crucial campaign, which aims to inform the public about candidates who are striving to preserve and construct housing in every corner of our city.”

“New York’s housing affordability crisis is a threat to the very future of our city” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “Solving this crisis will require political bravery. And the creation of this new PAC will provide a critical boost to candidates who are willing to take a risk on behalf of housing. This will be an important, impactful addition to New York’s political landscape.”

Abundant New York is an independent expenditure committee seeking to address the pressing housing affordability crisis by electing pro-housing majorities across New York's legislature and local governments. For more information, visit AbundantNY.org

Paid for by Abundant New York. Not authorized by any candidate, candidate committee, or any of its agents.