Championing Affordable Housing & Ending Homelessness
Council Member Keith Powers is building a city where all New Yorkers have equitable access to housing.
Defending Tenants’ Rights
Keith is a proven champion for tenants–lauded in the New York Times for his affordable housing plan at Waterside Plaza, a “rare happy outcome for renters in today’s real estate market.”
Keith’s advocacy has saved hundreds of renters from displacement and high-rent increases, and he will continue to fight for tenants’ safety and security on the East Side.
Fighting for Affordable Housing
As Council Member, Keith is committed to preserving and developing affordable housing for Manhattan residents and their families. Preserving rent regulation for nearly 6,000 units in Stuyvesant Town is just one of Keith’s myriad victories for advancing affordable housing.
Ending Homelessness
Council Member Keith Powers is “showing us how to treat the homeless like neighbors rather than enemies,” as described by the New York Times.
Keith also allocated $180,000 to homeless outreach programs with a "meet people where they're at" approach, as part of his ongoing mission to uplift all New Yorkers.
Developing Innovative New Housing
Keith is leading the effort to convert Midtown Manhattan’s empty office buildings into new housing. He is praised by Mayor Eric Adams as an advocate for the City’s ambitious plans to create nearly 20,000 new homes.
Preventing Climate Change and Saving the Environment
Council Member Powers has advanced community and legislative measures to tackle climate change and improve our environment, earning him a perfect score from the New York league of Conservation Voters. He’s received their endorsement for his work to prevent climate change, conserve land and water, and protect New Yorkers’ health, creating a healthier and sustainable community for all for generations to come.
Keith has focused on protecting our future, spearheading coastal resiliency construction on the East Side and introduced new legislation to improve air quality.
Historic Zero Emissions Legislation
Council Member Keith Powers is championing legislation that will see New York City’s entire vehicle fleet converted to zero-emission electric vehicles, crucially lessening our climate impact and serving as a model for nation-wide change.
Zero Waste NYC
Keith is also working to tackle waste, passing legislation including the Zero Waste Act, which expands the city’s composting initiative and reduces our carbon footprint.
Moving Transportation Forward
Council Member Powers has been a powerful advocate for improving the safety and ease of New Yorkers’ commutes, receiving the endorsement of StreetsPAC.
Keith has pioneered proposals to increase bike lanes and designed a more pedestrian-friendly Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center, as well as helped lead the creation of a new 14th Street busway to alleviate congestion and an ongoing redesign of Third Avenue.
Keith has also created a new law that would address the rapid increase in commercial deliveries and double parking in the district, authored a law to convert the municipal vehicle fleet to green vehicles, and sponsored legislation to ease congestion caused by for-hire vehicles and commercial careen businesses.
Key Legislative Accomplishments
Notable Legislation:
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Protecting Employees Against Sexual Harassment
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Expanding Childcare for Local Candidates
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Prohibiting Source of Income Discrimination
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Zero Waste Act
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Expanding Mental Health Crisis Centers
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Suspension of Liquor License Tax for Small Businesses
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Small Business Storefront Signage Reform
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E–Bike Battery Swap Program
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Reforming NYC’s Scaffolding
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Indoor Air Quality Package
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Zero Emission City Vehicles
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Healthy Food in Chain Restaurants
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Suspending Commercial Rent Tax for Pandemic Recovery
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Noise Reduction Package