New York City Council member Chi Ossé
Gay Gen-Z New York City Council member Chi Ossé has successfully done something that has failed in past attempts — ending the longtime practices of having apartment-seekers pay expensive brokers’ fees… and he did it, in part, by using social media videos.
Ossé, an anti-police brutality activist who was elected to the city council in November 2021, helped successfully pass the Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses (FARE) Act. The law, which passed with a veto-proof majority in November, will require brokers’ fees to be paid by whoever hired the broker (usually landlords looking to promote their vacancies). Previously, apartment-seekers had to pay the fee, adding thousands of dollars to the already expensive relocation process.
Related:
Past council members had tried to pass the law in 2019, but reportedly failed after intense lobbying efforts from the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY). New York State tried a similar measure in 2020, but its attempt was thwarted barely a month later due to a REBNY lawsuit. Ossé tried passing the measure last year, but couldn’t even get the ordinance a hearing in a committee.
Insights for the LGBTQ+ community
Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more.
However, Ossé began using videos posted on TikTok and Instagram accounts to help raise awareness about the issue and mobilize constituents in favor of his bill. He began posting videos about his bill in 2023, but he wasn’t able to bring it to a vote last year.
Good News is your section for queer joy! Subscribe to our newsletter to get the most positive and fun stories from the site delivered to your inbox every weekend. Send us your suggestions for uplifiting and inspiring stories.