Episode 248: Understanding Housing Affordability

On this episode of Sunday Civics, L. Joy brings Leah Goodridge, an award-winning tenant's rights attorney and a New York City Planning Commissioner, to the front of the class to talk about the complexities of housing justice and the narratives that shape our understanding of renters, landlords, owners, and the broader housing crisis. But first L. Joy tackled a pressing issue that's been on the minds of many: the recent comments by rapper Cardi B about her disillusionment with voting in the upcoming presidential election. While celebrities like Cardi B have a significant platform and can influence public opinion, L. Joy emphasizes the need for consistent engagement, not just with celebrities, but with all voters who feel disconnected from the political process.

L. Joy points out that shaming people into voting, especially those who are disillusioned, is not an effective strategy. Instead, she urges us to create spaces where people can express their frustrations and feel heard. The key is to engage in meaningful conversations that help individuals understand the power of their voice and the impact they can make by participating in the electoral process.

For this week’s Do Now, L. Joy asks listeners to focus on a crucial step in their civic journey: prioritizing your issues and understanding which level of government is responsible for addressing them. With so many important topics on the table this election cycle, it can be overwhelming to decide where to focus your attention. With this Do Now, L. Joy will help you navigate this process and ensure your voice is heard when it matters most.

L. Joy and Leah discuss the complexities of housing affordability, which is a top five concern for many listeners, the impact on marginalized communities, and the need for a multifaceted approach to address the crisis. With over a decade of experience in fighting gentrification and displacement, Leah shared her perspective on the housing affordability crisis, highlighting the disproportionate impact on Black communities and people of color, a topic often overlooked in broader discussions.

The conversation touched on the concept of "affordability" itself. Leah explained that while the term "affordable housing" is widely used, it often excludes those who need it most. Leah also addressed the issue of public housing, which is often dismissed as a failed experiment. She argued that the real problem with public housing is the lack of investment.

Dismantling the false narrative that landlords are the true victims in the housing debate, Leah highlighted how the conversation often frames tenants as scammers and irresponsible individuals who should have become homeowners long ago. This narrative, she argues, is not only misleading but also ignores the significant power imbalance between landlords and tenants. When tenants are sued for advocating for rent stabilization or for simply trying to protect their right to affordable housing, it becomes clear that this is not a situation of two equal parties. It's a struggle between those who seek a home and those who view housing primarily as a business. Leah also pointed out that this narrative is often racialized, echoing the harmful trope of the "welfare queen." 

In line with this week’s Do Now, L. Joy asked Leah to provide valuable insights on how voters can evaluate candidates on housing issues. She urged voters to ask whether candidates support rent stabilization, what their plans are for homeowner assistance, how they plan to address the privatization of housing, and whether they believe in the right to counsel for low-income tenants facing eviction. These questions can help voters cut through the buzzwords and rhetoric to determine which candidates are truly committed to housing justice.

Ultimately, when you step into that voting booth, it’s your voice that counts. So, take the time to prioritize your issues, understand who’s responsible for addressing them, and make your decisions based on what matters most to you and your community.

Do Now:

List Your Top 5 Issues, determine whether they are primarily a federal, state, or local issues, then use this information to guide your decision-making process when evaluating candidates and ballot measures

Links: ballotpedia.org or Your local board of elections

Action Items: Write down the top five issues that matter most to you right now. Think about what impacts you and your community the most or what you believe needs greater attention.  Look at each candidate’s platform and track record on your priority issues. Do their plans align with your values and needs? Remember, it's essential to hold the right officials accountable—don't evaluate the president on local issues like trash pickup, but rather on federal matters like judicial appointments or foreign policy.

Leah Goodridge

Leah Goodridge is an award-winning tenants’ rights attorney with over a decade of experience fighting against gentrification and displacement in New York courts. She is most known for her work advancing the tenant movement and her writings on workplace equity. Former New York City mayor Bill de Blasio appointed Leah to the New York City Rent Guidelines Board where she successfully advocated for rent freezes for 2 million rent-stabilized tenants. She is currently a Commissioner on the NYC Planning Commission. She is the winner of two Bar Association awards for her impact on the legal profession and the author of the widely influential UCLA Law Review article, Professionalism as a Racial Construct. Leah lectures all over the nation on housing rights and workplace equity. Her work has appeared in USA Today, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Teen Vogue, Dame, Forbes and The Appeal.