Press Release
New Yorkers Say: Put Housing in Community Hands
CSS Survey Finds That New Yorkers Overwhelmingly Support the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act
According to a new survey by the Community Service Society of New York (CSS), 83 percent of New Yorkers supported the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA). Intro 905, currently under consideration by the City Council, would enact COPA in New York City.
We asked the question: “Some people have proposed giving certain nonprofit organizations and affordable housing providers the first chance to buy apartment buildings when they are put up for sale. In some cases, public funding could also be used to keep those buildings permanently affordable. Do you support or oppose this proposal?”
The response demonstrates both deep and broad support for COPA.
- The proposal was viewed favorably by 87 percent of Democrats, 84 percent of Independents, and 70 percent of Republicans.
- It scored highest among Latino and Black New Yorkers at 89 percent and 88 percent favorability, respectively, but also scored well among Asian (82 percent) and White (76 percent) respondents.
- Favorability was solid across the city, from a high of 86 percent support in Brooklyn to a still-strong low of 76 percent in Staten Island.
- The measure polled robustly among young New Yorkers, with 83 percent of respondents under 30 voicing their support, but it was also backed by 79 percent of New Yorkers over 64.
- There is room for additional public education around COPA. Fourteen percent of respondents said they did not know enough about the bill to support or oppose it (excluded from the sample).
This survey indicates that New Yorkers support COPA and are interested in seeing distressed and affordable buildings move away from speculators and toward responsible ownership. CSS calls on the City Council to pass Intro 905 and for the Mamdani administration to sign it into law immediately.
Technical Resources
This survey, conducted by the polling firm SSRS, polled 2,148 New York City residents during the months of August and September 2026. It has a margin of error of 2.8 percentage points.
Survey crosstabs:
| Of the 1,743 NYC residents who expressed an opinion on the bill |
Support | Oppose |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 83% | 17% |
| 18-29 | 83% | 17% |
| 30-49 | 82% | 18% |
| 50-64 | 72% | 28% |
| 65+ | 79% | 21% |
| Male | 75% | 25% |
| Female | 83% | 17% |
| Bronx | 84% | 16% |
| Kings | 87% | 13% |
| New York | 85% | 15% |
| Queens | 79% | 21% |
| Richmond | 76% | 24% |
| Public and subsidized rental housing | 88% | 12% |
| Rent-stabilized or rent-controlled rental | 89% | 11% |
| Market-rate rental | 87% | 13% |
| Homeowner | 76% | 24% |
| Democrat | 87% | 13% |
| Republican | 70% | 30% |
| Independent | 84% | 16% |
| Low-Income (<200% FPL) | 87% | 13% |
| White Non-Hispanic | 76% | 24% |
| Black Non-Hispanic | 88% | 12% |
| Hispanic | 89% | 11% |
| Asian | 82% | 18% |
| A different race/ethnicity | 88% | 13% |
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The Community Service Society of New York (CSS) has worked with and for New Yorkers since 1843 to promote economic opportunity and champion an equitable city and state. We power change through a strategic combination of research, services, and advocacy to make New York more livable for people facing economic insecurity. By expanding access to health care, affordable housing, employment opportunities, debt assistance, and more, we make a tangible difference in the lives of millions. Join us at www.cssny.org.