Harlem Coalition for Age in Place in Affordable Dignity

08/16/2026

In less than two weeks, 500 people—working families, seniors, frontline workers, small-business owners, longtime Harlem and NYC residents, and community advocates—have signed our Change.org petition addressing the 421-a Abatement Cliff.

For working people and families navigating intersectional barriers, systems that replicate things like Abatement cliffs are a perfect storm, not a theory. A job disruption, rising costs, health or caregiving responsibilities, housing increases, or another unexpected pressure can compound until years of savings and stability are suddenly at risk.

The 421-a Abatement Cliff is one example of that larger reality.

As we round 500 signatures, the coalition is asking Harlem, East Harlem, Spanish Harlem, and NYC to continue standing with residents navigating this transition in real time.

The 421-a challenge is larger than any one shareholder or building. We have an opportunity to respond in a way that strengthens both our immediate position and our long-term community infrastructure.

For now, our next steps remain straightforward:

➛ Sign the petition if you haven't already: https://www.change.org/East_Harlem_421-a_Abatement_Cliff

➛ Share it widely with neighbors, family, friends, community organizations, elected representatives, and others who may be affected or able to help.

Thank you for taking the time to act in unison—it's working.

PREVENT THE 421-A TAX CLIFF FROM DISPLACING LONGTIME HOMEOWNERS IN HARLEM & ACROSS NYC

08/01/2026

Join us by signing to our petition and share with your neigbors:

PREVENT THE 421-A TAX CLIFF FROM DISPLACING LONGTIME HOMEOWNERS IN HARLEM & ACROSS NYC

06/13/2026

Speaker Julie Menin Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani NYC Comptroller Mark Levine We have raised our families and retired as city workers in East Harlem. The same quality of life and housing affordability continues to persist. For years, Eddie Gibbs for NY Assembly has ignore our appeals to his office. East Harlem will never THRIVE with his apathetic leadership. Instead providing solutions and legislation, he and his senior staff ignore us...or laugh. He has NEVER met with us or visited our 3 buildings - with 1,000 families....WE ARE IGNORED. UNACCEPTABLE. EAST HARLEM has zero representation. Greater Harlem Coalition

06/03/2026

📢 Harlem Neighbors — Here's where we stand.
We've been working hard to protect longtime Harlem homeowners from the property-tax "cliff" that could force us out of our own community. Here's a quick update:

✔️ Harlem Community Boards CB 9 and CB 11 have formally written to the Governor, Mayor, and HPD Commissioner in support of our homeowner protections. CB 10 (Central Harlem) has confirmed a letter of support is forthcoming.

Candidate | Response:

1. Diana Ayala — Responded | ayalaforassembly.com

2. Eddie Gibbs (incumbent) — Despite 15 emails, 3 voicemail messages, and one meeting with his Chief of Staff, no response has been received. Campaign website is not functioning.

3. Tamika Mapp — Responded | mapp.vote

4. William Smith — Responded | williamsmithny.com

✔️ Three of four Assembly District 68 candidates responded to our housing questionnaire and committed to all four legislative pillars.

✔️ We've engaged the Legislative Directors for Senator Cordell Cleare and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, Chair of the NYS Housing Committee.

Read the full report here:

👉 https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:b39128ad-1ff3-4f1a-ba6e-fbd630d4019f

Early Voting starts June 13. Election Day is June 23. Your vote matters. 🗳️

West Harlem Development Corporation Greater Harlem Coalition Assemblyman Al Taylor Naacp, Mid-Manhattan Branch

05/24/2026

UPDATE: Candidate Questionnaire Responses for New York State Assembly District 68

The Harlem Coalition for Age in Place in Affordable Dignity (HC-APAD) sent an identical questionnaire to candidates for New York State Assembly District 68 regarding the urgent property-tax cliff facing long-term Harlem co-op and HDC shareholders.

The response deadline was May 14.

Out of the candidates contacted, two have responded:

✅ Tamika Mapp
✅ William Smith

The following candidates have not responded:

❌ Assemblymember Edward Gibbs
❌ Diana Ayala
❌ Tameeka Garcia-Taylor

HC-APAD represents long-term Harlem co-op and HDC shareholders, including seniors, essential workers, retirees, teachers, nurses, and fixed-income families who are facing potential displacement due to a property-tax cliff between 2026 and 2030.

At Madison Plaza, located at 1825 Madison Avenue between East 118th and East 119th Streets in the heart of AD 68, shareholder property taxes are projected to rise from approximately $164 in 2025 to nearly $12,000 by 2031 — an increase of more than 7,200%. This would price out long-term residents, including 80-year-old shareholders who have lived in their homes for 25 years.

More than 25,000 households citywide face similar cliffs.

HC-APAD believes AD 68 voters deserve to know where every candidate stands on protecting affordable co-op shareholders, seniors, retirees, working families, and long-term Harlem residents.

Responses — and non-responses — will be published and shared with the media before the June 2026 primary so voters can make an informed choice.

Harlem residents deserve to age in place with affordability, stability, and dignity.