Understanding COPA in NYC: A Guide to the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act

COPA, or the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act, is proposed legislation currently under consideration in New York City. Its primary aim is to provide nonprofit housing organizations and community land trusts the first opportunity to purchase rental properties before they are sold on the open market. This proposal has sparked discussion across various sectors of the city, from housing advocates to property owners. In this blog, we will explore what COPA is, how it would work, and what both supporters and critics are saying about it.

What Is COPA

The Community Opportunity to Purchase Act is legislation introduced in the New York City Council in the form of Intro 902 of the year 2024. It is part of a broader policy push known as the Community Land Act. COPA would apply to residential buildings with three or more rental units.

Under the act, if a property owner decides to sell an eligible building, they would be required to notify a list of qualified nonprofit organizations and community land trusts, as well as the city housing department. These organizations would then have a limited amount of time to indicate their intent to purchase and submit an offer.

The goal is to give mission-driven groups an early chance to acquire buildings and preserve them as affordable housing, rather than allowing them to be bought by private investors focused primarily on profit.

How COPA Would Work

Step One
A property owner decides to sell a rental building with three or more units

Step Two
The owner must notify the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development and a list of pre-approved nonprofits

Step Three
Qualified nonprofit entities have up to 60 days to express interest in buying the property

Step Four
If interest is expressed, the entity has up to 120 days to present a formal offer to purchase

Step Five
The property owner may not accept offers from others during this time

Step Six
If no offer is made or the time passes, the owner may proceed with selling to another buyer on the open market

Who Qualifies to Buy Under COPA

Only nonprofits that are approved and listed by the housing department can exercise this right. These groups must:

• Be based in the community

• Have a demonstrated commitment to maintaining long-term affordable housing

• Possess the financial and managerial capacity to own and operate the property

This includes community land trusts, housing cooperatives, and other community development organizations.

Why Supporters Back COPA

Supporters of COPA argue that it will help stabilize neighborhoods and preserve affordable housing. Their key points include:

• It gives community groups a real shot at owning buildings that might otherwise go to speculative investors

• It can prevent displacement of long-time residents in gentrifying neighborhoods

• It supports community wealth building by encouraging local ownership

• It promotes long-term housing affordability through nonprofit stewardship

Housing advocates point to other cities like San Francisco and Washington DC, where similar policies are already in place, as models for how this could work in New York.

Why Critics Are Concerned

Opponents of COPA have raised a number of concerns, such as:

• It may delay the sale process and discourage investment

• Nonprofits may lack the funding or capacity to make competitive offers

• The administrative burden on owners could be significant

• It could inadvertently lower property values by adding uncertainty to the sales process

• It may not be effective in preserving affordability if nonprofit acquisitions are not adequately supported

Some critics argue that the law could be overly complicated or not practical in a real estate market as fast-paced and expensive as New York City.

Current Status of COPA in NYC

As of late 2025, the COPA legislation has received broad support in the City Council, including from a supermajority of members. However, it has not yet passed into law. Key decisions still need to be made regarding the specific rules around timelines, qualified entities, funding, enforcement, and which properties will be included.

Advocacy groups like the New York City Community Land Initiative and several city-based housing organizations are pushing strongly for passage. Meanwhile, real estate groups and some landlord associations have voiced opposition or requested modifications.

What It Means for You

If passed, COPA could influence the future of housing in neighborhoods across the city. Here is how different groups might be affected:

Tenants
May benefit from more stable and affordable housing if their building is purchased by a nonprofit committed to community-based ownership

Nonprofit Organizations
Would gain a new pathway to acquire properties and prevent displacement, but will need funding and organizational strength to succeed

Property Owners
Would face new procedures when selling multiunit properties and may have to consider nonprofit buyers first

Policymakers
Will need to monitor how well the law is implemented and whether it meets its goals of preventing displacement and preserving affordability

Final Thoughts

The Community Opportunity to Purchase Act offers a new approach to managing housing transitions in New York City. It focuses on shifting ownership of rental properties toward community-based groups with a focus on long-term affordability.

Like any major policy, its impact will depend on how it is implemented, who participates, and how well it is funded. COPA seeks to balance the interests of community preservation with the rights of property owners, but it remains a subject of active debate.