Throughout the pandemic, housing advocates have called for bold action to prevent a potential wave of evictions, foreclosures and transfer of homes to speculative ownership. One strategy gaining momentum from Boston to the Bay Area is Tenant and Community Opportunity to Purchase (TOPA and COPA) legislation. These policies offer tenants and qualified nonprofit the first right to purchase multifamily buildings put up for sale, and have a proven track record in Washington DC of preventing displacement, preserving affordable housing, and advancing racial equity by creating cooperative ownership opportunities.

Join LISC Institute for a conversation between TOPA advocates in Washington, DC and New York City. Panelists from DC will share lessons learned from decades of successful TOPA implementation and the robust ecosystem and resources needed to support transitions to community and tenant ownership. New York City panelists will highlight current organizing efforts to pass COPA at the city level and TOPA at the state level, including key opportunities for support, and why these policies are critical for an equitable recovery from COVID-19.

Anyone interested in learning more about existing TOPA and COPA policies and proposals, and how they can advance equity in housing and stabilize communities, should plan on joining.

Moderator – 

• Julia Duranti-Martinez, Program Officer for Capacity and Research, LISC 

Speakers –

• Akilah Browne, Skadden Legal Fellow, New Economy Project 
• Sara Feierstein, Senior Program Officer, LISC 
• Edward Garcia, Director of Community Development, Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition
• Michelle Harati, Policy Officer, LISC 
• Celeste Hornbach, Housing and Policy Director, Mutual Housing Association of New York
• Tania Jackson, Chief of Staff, Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau, DC City Council
• Ramon Jacobson, Executive Director, LISC DC
• Fernando Lemos, Executive Director, Mi Casa