NYC Council Member Chi Ossé on Political Organizing, Broker Fees, and Housing Affordability

Political Organizing Through Social Media

• 💡 Chi Ossé explains how he uses social media, particularly TikTok and Instagram Reels, as a powerful tool for political organizing.
• 🚀 His viral videos on the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) hearing led to over a thousand people attending, resulting in a significantly lower rent increase (1.2-2.5% instead of 8-16%).
• ✅ This strategy was also instrumental in passing the bill to ban forced broker fees in New York City.

Eliminating Forced Broker Fees

• 🔑 Prior to the new law, prospective tenants in NYC were forced to pay broker fees ranging from 10-15% of annual rent to brokers hired by landlords.
• 🗣️ Ossé introduced the Fair Act, requiring whoever hires a broker to pay the fee, and utilized social media to mobilize public support against the real estate lobby.
• 💰 The bill, effective today, aims to save New Yorkers thousands of dollars and shift bargaining power to tenants.
• 📈 The elimination of forced broker fees is expected to put downward pressure on rental prices by giving tenants more leverage during lease negotiations.

Addressing New York City's Housing Crisis

• 🎯 Ossé advocates for a multifaceted approach to the housing crisis, emphasizing a "yes and" philosophy.
• 🏠 Solutions include a rent freeze, social housing, good cause eviction, and crucially, building more homes (market rate, affordable, and low-income).
• 📉 He highlights that NYC's low vacancy rate (1.4%) and influx of new residents exacerbate housing competition.

Gentrification and Displacement

• 🤝 Ossé views gentrification not as a racial issue, but as a "green" issue driven by unaffordability and greed.
• 🏘️ He stresses the need to make space for new residents by building more homes, while also protecting existing communities from displacement.
• 💡 He supports a vacancy tax and a **