Basement Apartments Safe for Everyone (BASE) is a coalition of community groups, lawyers & planners fighting to make NYC basement homes safe, legal & affordable
New York City
Joined April 2020
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The May 20 floods across NYC are another reminder: basement tenants can’t wait for safe, legal homes. We applaud @NYCMayor's Block-by-Block plan for investing in basement legalization — a fight BASE has led for 15+ years. Dedicated funding is exactly the right starting point.
BASE looks forward to partnering with the City to bring this program to life and continuing the fight for the low- and moderate-income homeowners and tenants who need it most. #BlockByBlock #LegalizeBasements
Every storm puts lives at risk in homes that lack the protections legalization would provide. We share @NYCMayor's commitment to interagency collaboration and know punitive enforcement is not the answer. Punitive enforcement won’t fix this. Partnership will. #LegalizeBasements
The DOB proposed rule for the basement pilot is finally out, but as @hslatkin of @chpcny says in @THECITYNY today, “This rule, as it is outlined here, would ensure that no one registers.”
BASE is eager for the program to launch, but we must get the rule right first. Read more:
A program meant to allow homeowners to transform unauthorized spaces like basement apartments into above-board units is coming under fire for “cartoonishly absurd” proposed rules.
thecity.nyc/2025/12/08/basem…
NYC Base Campaign retweeted
A program meant to allow homeowners to transform unauthorized spaces like basement apartments into above-board units is coming under fire for “cartoonishly absurd” proposed rules.
thecity.nyc/2025/12/08/basem…
NYC Base Campaign retweeted
Mayor Adams proposes new rules for legalizing basement, cellar apartments in NYC abc7ny.com/post/adams-admini…
NYC Base Campaign retweeted
City officials have drawn up new rules to make basement apartments legal in New York City. This allows what has often been referred to as “mother/daughter” homes to be made into legal two-family residences.silive.com/news/2025/11/nyc-…
NYC Base Campaign retweeted
NYC releases rules for legalizing basement and cellar apartments
6sqft.com/nyc-releases-rules…
We are heartbroken by reports of the two fatalities in basements following the heavy rainfall yesterday.
See the BASE Coalition's full statement calling on the city to launch the basement and cellar conversion program without further delay to help prevent future tragedies.
NYC Base Campaign retweeted
Two people died in flooded New York City buildings on Thursday after sudden and intense rain brought a deluge of water to the city in a major afternoon squall.
thecity.nyc/2025/10/30/flood…
NYC Base Campaign retweeted
Latest update: Man found dead in flooded Brooklyn basement as record-breaking rain drenches NYC, N.J. trib.al/zH2YBUg
NYC Base Campaign retweeted
🚨 A flood watch is currently in effect for NYC! 🚨
If you live in a basement apartment, it's especially important to be prepared. Sign up for @NotifyNYC and join the Basement Alert Group: nyc.gov/notify
ALT Text reads: How to Prepare For a Flood If you live in a basement apartment, be prepared to move to a higher floor during periods of heayy rain. Be prepared to evacuate if needed. Make an emergency plan that includes where you will go if you nave to evacuate. Prepare a Go Bag in case you need to leave your home in a hurry. Learn the safest route from your home or workplace to safe, high ground in case you have to evacuate. N Y C Health logo.
ALT Text reads: If you have a disability or access or functional need, make sure your plan addresses how your needs may affect your ability to evacuate, shelter in place, or communicate with emergency workers. Arrange help from family, friends, or service providers if you will need assistance. Stay informed. Sign up for NotifyNYC's Basement Alert Group to get notifications in advance of flooding: nyc.gov/notify. N Y C Health logo.
NYC Base Campaign retweeted
🚨 NYC FLOOD WATCH & TRAVEL ADVISORY🚨
A Flood Watch is in effect today until 8 a.m. on Friday.
There is a Travel Advisory in effect through mid-day on Friday.
Stay home unless you are relocating ahead of possible flash flooding.
Expect street, basement, & transit flooding.
The basement apartment safety program authorized last year was a huge step forward, but it left out some of the neighborhoods where upgrades are needed most. We urge the passage of @CMSandyNurse & @CMShekarK's resolution and @SalazarSenate & @votejgr's bill to expand the pilot!
"By refusing to include the hardest-hit neighborhoods in the revamped pilot, New York State is complicit in the ongoing danger facing these residents," write @CMSandyNurse and @CMShekarK. "Basement safety is not a luxury, it’s a matter of life or death." bit.ly/3TYX0FH
NYC Base Campaign retweeted
Extreme weather is a part of New Yorkers new reality. As our environmental and housing crises collide, those living in basement apartments are most at risk.
@CMShekarK and I are calling on NYS to expand basement conversion programs across flood-prone communities like ours.
"By refusing to include the hardest-hit neighborhoods in the revamped pilot, New York State is complicit in the ongoing danger facing these residents," write @CMSandyNurse and @CMShekarK. "Basement safety is not a luxury, it’s a matter of life or death." bit.ly/3TYX0FH
NYC Base Campaign retweeted
"By refusing to include the hardest-hit neighborhoods in the revamped pilot, New York State is complicit in the ongoing danger facing these residents," write @CMSandyNurse and @CMShekarK. "Basement safety is not a luxury, it’s a matter of life or death." bit.ly/3TYX0FH
NYC Base Campaign retweeted
Experts say that without proper implementation, new rules for basement and cellar units could push vulnerable tenants and landlords further underground: bit.ly/45fcfAs
NYC Base Campaign retweeted
And today the Council introduced a reso in support of a State bill that would expand the State’s basement conversion pilot, which excluded districts concentrated w/ basement apts.
Why?
Because their State reps lobbied for carve outs. Which will lead to more deaths.
Thinking about flooding and this @sssmaldo story —
“city pilot program to legalize and regulate basement apartments and other so-called accessory dwelling units that could have been up and running by mid-June has not yet gotten off the ground.” thecity.nyc/2025/07/14/basem…
NYC Base Campaign retweeted
Thinking about flooding and this @sssmaldo story —
“city pilot program to legalize and regulate basement apartments and other so-called accessory dwelling units that could have been up and running by mid-June has not yet gotten off the ground.” thecity.nyc/2025/07/14/basem…
NYC Base Campaign retweeted
Though the law regulating basement apartments went into effect June 16, there is no way for interested homeowners to apply to the pilot program.
buff.ly/e12Tovi