Op-Ed | Faith leaders urge Speaker Menin to action to protect Black homeowners | amNewYork

"We write to you not only as faith leaders, but as witnesses. Every day, in our congregations and communities, we see the quiet strain facing working families across this city. We hear it in conversations after service, in counseling sessions, and in moments of private worry shared in confidence. The message is consistent and deeply troubling: the economic pressure on Black and Brown New Yorkers is intensifying, and the margin for stability is shrinking."

"For homeowners, this means escalating homeownership costs, heightened mortgage rates, and the constant fear of a lien, foreclosure, or predatory threats like deed theft. These are not isolated concerns. They are systemic risks that undermine the very foundation of economic security for our communities. For many, the ability to remain in New York City is no longer just difficult. It is unsustainable."

"The outmigration from our city, particularly among Black households, is not an abstraction. Over 200,000 Black New Yorkers have been displaced, and that number continues to grow. It is a lived reality, measured in empty pews, in families relocating to other states, in communities losing generations of history and continuity."

"And by doing that, I say we have said a hard no to raising property taxes 9.5%. That is unacceptable because if we were to do that, we would be hurting Black communities across our city. Those words were a moment of clarity and relief, reflecting a deep understanding that policy decisions, especially those affecting housing costs, have real and disproportionate impacts on communities already under strain. But we must also say this, with equal clarity: reactive protection is the first step. Proactive action is next."

Working families across the city face intensifying economic strain, with Black and Brown New Yorkers experiencing shrinking margins for stability. Homeownership costs are rising through escalating costs and mortgage rates, increasing fear of liens, foreclosure, and predatory threats such as deed theft. These risks are systemic and undermine economic security. Remaining in New York City is becoming unsustainable for many, and outmigration is accelerating, especially among Black households. More than 200,000 Black New Yorkers have been displaced, with impacts visible in empty pews, families relocating, and communities losing generations of history. Leadership is acknowledged for opposing a proposed 9.5% property tax increase, while emphasizing that reactive protection must be followed by proactive action.

Read at www.amny.com