LEAH
GOODRIDGE
LEADING VOICE ON HOUSING, CITIES AND POWER IN THE WORKPLACE
Commissioner | Attorney | Writer
ABOUT MEI grew up in affordable housing in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Then after graduating from a top law school, I faced my own housing insecurity. That was like a splash of cold water to my face: you can be comfortably middle class one day and scraping to survive the next. I’ve devoted my life to fighting for the housing rights for everyday people in courtrooms, boardrooms and government tables.
Here’s WHAT I DO…
Urban planning
1. I’m a Commissioner.
As a member of the NYC Planning Commission, I vote on city infrastructure like…
Affordable housing. Sidewalk use. Public space.
Do you think that $3,000 for a studio in Brooklyn is affordable housing? I don’t! As a Commissioner, I argue that the “build, build, build” mantra is ineffective if New Yorkers can’t afford it.
2. I helped usher in the “rent freeze.”
You know that RENT FREEZE that Mayor Zohran Mamdani talks about?
I was on the board that votes for it! Former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed me to represent tenants and I successfully advocated for TWO rent freezes. I helped make rent affordable for 2 million rent stabilized tenants in New York.
Helped 2 million tenants
3. I was a tenants’ rights lawyer for 12 years .
(Yep, that’s me!)
4. I write.
13 op-eds and counting…
“Last month, I ran into a cafe and assured the employees I’d buy something, but needed to use the restroom right away because of a medical condition. No, pay first. Please? No!”
-Leah Goodridge, New Yorkers Deserve More Public Restrooms, The New York Times
Moderating a panel at NY Philharmonic
Join My Digital Community!
Fun insider takes on housing policy—straight from someone who’s been in the room.
PHILOSOPHYMy voice is my most powerful tool. In addition to writing and practicing law, I’ve spoken at over 20 universities and institutions worldwide to share my vision for housing policy and legal reform. I’ve been a keynote speaker at Stanford Law School, SXSW and more.
SERVICESWant to work with me? Let’s make it happen. Here are 4 common ways I collaborate with people. Invite me to...
Write an op-ed
Be a guest on your TV show, podcast or radio show
Give a keynote talk
Co-write a TV script