New Housing Rights

Public education for new NYC law that aims to end housing discrimination

CLIENT
Institute for Justice and Opportunity at John Jay College, David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy at The Fortune Society, Community Voices Heard
SERVICES

Creative + Strategy

Media Planning + Buying

In New York City, individuals with conviction records frequently face housing discrimination, often resulting in unstable or unsafe living conditions and even homelessness. With the Fair Chance for Housing (Intro 632-A) Act going into effect in January 2025, New Yorkers need to know more than ever about these new legal protections they have when applying for housing.

our approach

F.Y. Eye partnered with the Fair Chance for Housing coalition to launch a public education campaign ensuring widespread awareness of the new law. The initiative prioritized a bold visual identity, using striking colors and typography designed to capture attention and clearly communicate key information. The messaging strategy was accessible, clear, and empathetic, emphasizing the law’s ability to provide "more new beginnings" for more people. The campaign was also rooted in community engagement, ensuring that the outreach effectively reached impacted communities through trusted local organizations and public spaces.

The campaign leveraged several strategic media placements to maximize reach. Over two months, PSAs were displayed on bus side ads across Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Bus shelters in Upper Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn added further visibility, as well as placement on F.Y. Eye’s PSA Network of screens at nonprofit public spaces. A digital toolkit was provided to coalition partners for online amplification, while posters and foldable informational zines were printed and distributed to community organizations, providing accessible, on-the-ground outreach.

In 2026, a “phase two” of the campaign was developed by F.Y. Eye  to reaffirm these essential rights and strengthen the bold stance against housing discrimination. New PSAs were created and displayed on subway posters throughout the city, meeting New Yorkers with information about this important housing law on their daily commutes. Additional informational zines were printed and distributed amongst community partners, as well as to correctional facilities, providing a tangible resource for individuals to learn about their protections before re-entering the housing market.

IMPACT

The initiative is successfully raising awareness among communities most affected by housing discrimination, empowering individuals with conviction records to understand and assert their rights. Media placements for the campaign have amassed over 25 million impressions. The Fair Chance for Housing coalition also extended outreach efforts by taking printed materials into Rikers Island and aiming to educate individuals in correctional facilities about their new legal protections. Through media placements, direct engagement efforts, and continued advocacy, the campaign is fostering greater housing stability and reducing barriers for those re-entering society, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable New York City. 

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