Basement Apartments Safe for Everyone

The BASE (Basement Apartments Safe for Everyone) campaign is a coalition of community organizations, advocates, tenants, homeowners, and community members who are organizing working-class neighborhoods and communities of color to increase the number of legally-recognized, affordable, and safe basement apartments, as well as other accessory dwelling units (“ADUs”) in New York City. 

New York City is still facing a deep affordability crisis. For many low- and moderate-income New Yorkers, including immigrants, communities of color, and essential workers, basement apartments are one of the few accessible housing options. However, most remain unregulated and unsafe. While the state’s new Basement and Cellar Pilot Program is a long overdue step, it excludes many of the neighborhoods most affected by housing insecurity and past storms like Hurricane Ida. Without citywide legalization, too many tenants remain unprotected and too many small homeowners are denied the opportunity to stabilize their housing. We need a comprehensive solution that reflects the urgency and scale of this crisis.

We believe every tenant and homeowner should have access to safe, legal basement housing—regardless of zip code. The BASE Coalition is pushing for a citywide approach that includes access to resources for small homeowners, legal protections for tenants, and meaningful planning driven by community needs. Basement apartments are already a core part of NYC’s housing fabric. They deserve the same support, investment, and recognition as any other form of affordable housing. Our work is rooted in equity, safety, and long-term housing stability for all New Yorkers.

–

For more information about the BASE campaign, contact Matthew Sooknanan at: matthew@chhayacdc.org