News12: Local leaders launch campaign to pass Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act

[See original here]

By Katelynn Ulrich and Adolfo Carrion

Community groups and elected officials are kicking off a campaign to pass the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, or TOPA. 

TOPA is up for a vote in this year’s state legislative session. This comes as the state of New York has seen a huge surge in grassroots “tenant takeover” campaigns, with tenants organizing to take over their buildings. 

Those behind the movement say that many of these tenants are taking over buildings from absentee or predatory landlords. 

The bill, if passed, would give tenants the first opportunity to purchase their rental buildings that are up for sale.