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Manuel Rivera, housing advocate and GMHC board leader from New York, explains why local action on affordable housing protects families in crisis.
The Fight Starts Where People Live
New York, USA, Jun 27, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Housing instability is not just about losing a roof. It is about losing health care appointments, job opportunities, and the ability to stay connected to school and community. For thousands of New York City families, the struggle to find and keep affordable housing threatens every other aspect of daily life.
Manuel Rivera, Chairperson of the Consumer Advisory Board and Board of Directors at GMHC (Gay Men’s Health Crisis), has spent decades addressing this reality. Raised in public housing in New York City, he learned early that secure housing is the foundation for everything else.
“Housing is the start,” Rivera says. “Without it, people can’t stabilize their health, their work, their families. Everything else breaks down.”
Why Housing Affects Health, Jobs, and Safety
Without stable housing, people miss medical appointments, lose access to consistent care, and face increased risk of chronic illness. Children miss school days. Workers lose jobs because they lack a stable address or a safe place to rest. LGBTQ individuals, especially those who are low income, face compounded barriers.
Rivera points to the intersection of housing insecurity and other systems. “When you’re queer, low-income, and housing insecure, you’re not just fighting one system, you’re navigating all of them,” he says.
This is not an abstract policy problem. It is a crisis affecting real people who are turned away, ignored, or priced out of safe housing.
“We’re not talking about abstract policy,” Rivera explains. “We’re talking about people trying to find a safe place to live and being turned away, ignored, or priced out.”
Community Solutions Start with Listening
Rivera believes the best solutions come from the people who face the challenges. During his career addressing homelessness and expanding affordable housing in New York City, he prioritized community input over top-down mandates.
“Ideas start with listening,” he says. “Growing up in public housing, I saw that the best solutions came from residents themselves.”
He also served as Chairperson of the NYC Black and Latino LGBTQ Coalition, uniting organizations across the city to promote equity and inclusion. His work emphasized connecting issues that are often treated separately, from health equity to housing rights to LGBTQ justice.
“There was too much siloing,” Rivera recalls. “You’d have one group fighting for health equity, another for housing rights, and a third for trans justice. But it’s the same people facing all of it. We needed to connect the dots.”
Local Action List: 10 Steps to Take This Week
Residents across New York City can take direct action to support affordable housing and community stability. Here are ten steps anyone can take this week:
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Attend a local community board meeting to voice support for affordable housing development in your neighborhood.
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Contact your city council member to ask what they are doing to protect tenants and expand affordable housing.
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Volunteer with a local tenant rights organization or housing advocacy group.
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Donate household items, furniture, or funds to organizations helping people transition out of homelessness.
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Learn your rights as a tenant and share that information with neighbors who may be facing housing issues.
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Support local ballot measures or policy initiatives that fund affordable housing or protect rent-stabilized units.
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Attend a tenant organizing workshop to understand how to advocate for better building conditions and fair treatment.
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Offer to mentor or support someone navigating housing applications, housing court, or shelter systems.
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Shop at or donate to businesses and nonprofits that hire and serve people experiencing homelessness.
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Share stories and resources on social media to raise awareness about housing insecurity and local solutions.
How to Find Trustworthy Local Resources
Start with established community organizations that have track records of service and accountability. In New York City, groups like the Urban Justice Center, Housing Works, and the Coalition for the Homeless provide direct services and advocacy. GMHC offers support for LGBTQ individuals and people living with HIV who face housing challenges.
Community boards and tenant associations are also valuable sources of information. Many neighborhoods have tenant unions or organizing committees that can connect residents with legal aid, emergency assistance, and policy campaigns. Libraries often host know-your-rights workshops and maintain lists of local service providers.
Look for organizations that center the voices of people directly affected by housing insecurity. Trustworthy groups prioritize transparency, community input, and solutions rooted in real experience.
One Step Today
Housing stability is not a distant policy goal. It is a local issue that demands local action. Whether you attend a community meeting, call your elected official, or volunteer your time, every action matters.
Rivera’s message is clear: change starts with people who show up and stay in the fight.
“Change doesn’t come from the top,” he says. “It comes from people who live the fight and stay in it.”
Take one step today. Your community is counting on it.
About Manuel Rivera
Manuel Rivera is Chairperson of the Consumer Advisory Board and a member of the Board of Directors at GMHC (Gay Men’s Health Crisis) in New York, New York. He dedicated his professional life to addressing homelessness and expanding access to affordable housing in New York City. He served as Chairperson of the NYC Black and Latino LGBTQ Coalition, a citywide coalition uniting LGBTQ organizations to promote equity and inclusion. Raised in public housing in New York City, Rivera continues to advocate for tenant rights, LGBTQ inclusion, and community empowerment.
