Impact - City Limits

Knowledge builds community

Since 1976, City Limits, an independent, nonprofit news organization, has been committed to providing essential information to underserved New Yorkers through investigative journalism. What began as an initiative to address the lack of attention on housing issues has evolved into a comprehensive strategy aiming to connect with and empower groups most impacted by housing— the working class and low income, Black and brown, immigrants— the foundation of our community.

In a city where navigating the housing system can be overwhelming, City Limits is committed to shedding light on complex systems, offering solutions, and empowering communities to take meaningful action. Leading with community-driven journalism, we work to create measurable impact by exposing systemic issues and driving policy reform while also providing vital resources and practical guidance for those actively seeking safe, affordable housing. As a non-profit newsroom, City Limits ensures that everyday New Yorkers have access to the information they need to build a more stable and connected future.

Why it matters now more than ever

Our values of truthful and helpful journalism are paramount during this critical time. With a decades-long history of impactful investigative journalism and community-focused reporting, City Limits remains committed to integrity and accuracy, providing resources that provide concrete benefit to our readers most impacted by housing. In the face of an escalating housing crisis characterized by rising rents and increasing displacement, such as in Harlem which has experienced a significant decline in the Black population, our mission becomes ever more vital.

Gentrification continues to reshape the city, with approximately 12% of low-income neighborhoods experiencing ongoing or advanced gentrification and an additional 9% facing displacement without gentrification. Access to reliable information is essential for individuals seeking stability in an increasingly challenging environment, and our commitment to these values ensures that we equip our community with actionable insights. By focusing on the needs of communities disproportionately affected by housing, we provide timely resources and amplify the voices of those directly impacted by these changes.

Our mission

City Limits uses investigative journalism through the prism of New York City to identify urban problems, examine their causes, explore solutions, and equip communities to take action. Our work centers on housing because we believe that stable, affordable homes are the foundation for thriving communities. By exposing systemic issues and offering timely resources, we help New Yorkers, in particular, those most impacted by housing, navigate challenges and find paths toward stability.

We believe that focusing our efforts on the communities most impacted by housing will lead to a greater magnitude of positive change, and a more rapid path to our vision of creating thriving communities where all New Yorkers have access to safe, stable housing and the essential resources they need, lighting the path toward a better and more connected future.

Who we serve

City Limits is focused on serving everyday New Yorkers: communities most impacted by housing, disproportionately represented by the working-class and low-income, communities of color, and immigrant communities. By providing relevant and accessible information via culturally informed methods of communication, and amplifying diverse voices not normally represented in the media, we empower everyday New Yorkers to take action and create meaningful progress in their lives and communities.

We seek to serve as a trusted resource for individuals seeking practical guidance on navigating affordable housing options, to engaged residents committed to strengthening their neighborhoods, to policy advocates thriving systemic reforms.

Impactful and measurable outcomes

City Limits maximizes community impact through investigative journalism of key housing-related issues and providing relevant and timely housing resources. For almost 50 years, City Limits has been the only journalism organization in New York City keeping a focused lens on housing equity. Through our in-depth, investigative journalism, we have shone a light on issues affecting those most impacted by housing, and have been cited through the years by elected officials, advocates, and other media outlets as a key resource inciting change.

City Limits has also been a trusted resource within the communities we serve, directing our readers—sometimes in vulnerable situations—to get the help they need easily and effectively. In fact, our most-read articles are those helping readers navigate complex systems, such as entering the housing lottery, finding shelter, or navigating NYCHA. By providing content to our Spanish-speaking readers in their native language, we have been able to reach immigrants seeking basic information, such as how to obtain identification or access essential services. These resources are make-or-break lifelines for a large portion of NYC’s population.

By focusing on the housing industry and system, City Limits continues to be a crucial source of information and support for those who need it most. In just the past year City Limits:

Guided tens of thousands of everyday New Yorkers through the housing lottery process.

Helped drive policy conversations through in-depth investigative reports

Provided essential resources to Spanish-speaking immigrant communities in their native language

Theory of change

City Limits’ Theory of Change focuses on maximizing direct impact on New Yorkers most impacted by housing and building community. Helping everyday New Yorkers find a home they love and deserve comes down to a few key factors. Our approach focuses on four pillars that maximize direct impact on those looking for access to information and building community.

Navigating Systems:

Highlighting critical resources and breaking down complex housing and political systems. We center timely, thorough, and accessible information because we know this is impactful—nearly half our readership engages with articles on resources like NYCHA, the housing lottery, and emergency shelters.

Systems Change:

Our investigative and data journalism efforts are focused on bringing about systemic change in housing by uncovering critical issues and driving policy reform.

Amplifying Voices:

We amplify the voices of underrepresented communities through op-eds and profile pieces, challenging existing narratives and promoting well-being.

Building Community:

Our initiatives include empowering young people, fostering partnerships, and organizing engaging events to build a stronger community.

Three-Year Plan

City Limits’ three-year plan will implement our Theory of Change, broadening and deepening our impact on underserved New Yorkers most impacted by housing, with the following key objectives:

Ensure underserved communities have easy access to life-changing information and resources to build a safe home and environment.

Strengthen partnerships with local individuals and organizations to expand City Limits’ resource offerings to help every day New Yorkers thrive in daily life

Facilitate a more connected community by providing opportunities for unity and collaboration, fostering trust and support among neighbors, and creating chances for individuals to build lasting relationships.

Influence and track meaningful housing policy change by uncovering systemic issues, highlighting actionable solutions, and equipping communities with the information they need to advocate for themselves.

Support us

City Limits relies on the support of our community, readers and major donors to continue our mission. Your contributions help us produce impactful journalism that empowers everyday New Yorkers and builds stronger, more connected communities. Together, we can light the path to safe, stable housing for all.

You can support City Limits in the following ways:

Submit an op-ed
Make a donation
Follow us on social

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