Advocacy Alert: Write to City Council
about the New Artist Housing Bill

As part of the Our New York City Dance campaign, we’re taking action to clear the path for what dance workers need most: affordable space to live and work. We encourage you to join Dance/NYC as we tell the City Council about the new artist housing bill.

What is happening?
This year, Council Members Farah Louis, Virginia Maloney, and Deputy Speaker Dr. Nantasha Williams re-introduced a bill (Intro 0063-2026) that would reduce the barriers to creating artist housing complexes like Westbeth and Manhattan Plaza. The legislation would amend NYC human rights law to clarify that it is legal to create affordable artist housing. While the bill was originally introduced last year, that version is no longer valid and the new version needs our support to advance through the City Council.

Why does this matter?
According to our State of NYC Dance 2023 Report, dancers and choreographers earn less than $40,000 a year working an average of 4.5 different jobs. The median asking rent for a NYC apartment that same year was $3,500—about $200 more than their total monthly income. Paving the way for more affordable and accessible housing opportunities for artists can help ensure that working-class creatives can remain in the communities they serve.

What can you do?
If you'd like to share your thoughts, join New Yorkers for Culture & Arts in contacting your City Council Member about the new bill on affordable housing for artists.

Together, we can build a city where all dance artists can live and thrive.