News & Press

Report: Airbnb as a Racial Gentrification Tool in NYC

A new report, The Face of Airbnb, New York City, by Inside Airbnb, a member of the Coalition against Illegal Hotels, documents the role that Airbnb plays in the gentrification of historically black and brown neighborhoods and the disproportionate benefit obtained by white hosts. An earlier report by MFY and Housing Conservation Coordinators showed how …

MFY Joins Univision Panel on Immigrants’ Rights

MFY Attorney Ernie Collette shared his knowledge of immigration law with a panel of experts at a forum organized by Univision on February 16, 2017. Immigrants from around the New York metropolitan area called in their questions and the panel provided timely and accurate information to New Yorkers who voiced concerns and anxieties resulting from …

MFY Joins Amicus Brief to SCOTUS on Criminal Conviction Expungement

MFY Legal Services joined 23 other non-profit organizations in an amicus brief filed in the U.S. Supreme Court on February 10, 2017, concerning expungement of federal criminal convictions, and whether and in what circumstances a judge has the power to grant a petition to expunge. Doe v. USA challenges a decision by the 2nd Circuit …

MFY Urges City Council to Pressure HUD on Discriminatory Mortgage Sales

In testimony before the New York City Council, MFY attorney Christopher Fasano praised the city’s efforts to protect homeowners with distressed mortgages through its Community Restoration Program and urged the city to pressure HUD to not sell mortgages in cases where homes can be saved through loan modifications and to increase nonprofit sales. MFY also …

MFY Calls on Senators to Ensure Consumer Protections

MFY joined scores of consumer, small business, labor, good government, financial protection, community, health environmental, civil rights and public interest groups in signing a letter on Monday, January 30, 2017 to senators urging them to oppose the use of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to repeal public protections that are critical to ensuring consumer protections and …

City Council Passes Bills to Protect Three-Quarter House Residents

After years of organizing and advocacy by the Three-Quarter House Tenant Organizing Project (TOP), MFY Legal Services, Neighbors Together, VOCAL-NY and other advocates in the Three-Quarter House Reform Coalition, the New York City Council passed a package of five bills to protect tenants’ rights and rein in abusive three-quarter house operators.

MFY Applauds MTA Decision to Not Raise Fares

MFY Legal Services joined disability advocates across the city in applauding the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s decision to keep the base fare on subways and buses at $2.75. MFY and other advocates had urged Governor Cuomo, who controls the MTA, to reject the fare hike, showing how the increase to $3 would have had a big …

MFY Launches New Program for Worker Safety and Health

Responding to the lack of legal assistance for low-income and immigrant workers injured on the job, MFY Legal Services is launching a new project on Workplace Safety and Health as part of its Workplace Justice Project. The project will provide advice, counsel and representation to workers who are injured on the job or who face …

Consumer Coalition to Trump: No Backsliding on Consumer Protections

New Yorkers for Responsible Lending, a 180-member coalition in which MFY plays a leading role, reaffirmed its commitment to the goal of financial justice for all New Yorkers and pledged to be a “firewall” against any federal backsliding on consumer financial protection, fair lending and marketplace oversight under the Trump administration.

map