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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

The facade of a building with orange and red bricks. A white flag with the N.Y.U. logo hangs from the wall. Underneath the flag is the entrance to N.Y.U.’s Lipton residence hall.

Opinion: Why does NYU make it so hard to apply for housing?

NYU’s housing application process forces students to commit to dorms without giving them the information they need to be able to make an informed decision about where they want to live.
Naisha Roy, Deputy Opinion Editor February 9, 2023

One of the biggest stressors about going to college in a big city — or anywhere, really — is finding housing. When I first completed the housing application, during my last...

A female wearing a black down coat and carrying a tablet in her left hand speaks to a group of people in Chinatown. She is wearing a microphone on her ear.

Small-business renewal program rekindles Chinatown spirit

To bring Chinatown businesses affected by the pandemic back to the forefront, the Mott Street Girls held a walking tour that featured recipients of Citizens Bank’s Renewal Fund.
Linsey Liao and Qianshan Weng December 15, 2022

On a cold winter day in Manhattan’s Chinatown, a group congregated at the New China Hair Salon — a colorful, well-kept store nestled at Doyers Street. This was the starting...

A Victorian couch sits on top of a pile of trash in the 49th Street subway station.

Find your new favorite piece with the help of Stooping NYC

Almost every NYU student has heard of stooping to get free furniture. Here’s the story of how the popular Instagram account @StoopingNYC came to be.
Mitali Sapra, Contributing Writer November 21, 2022

Stooping NYC’s Instagram page is a staple for every New Yorker, especially college students. The account, run by an anonymous married couple, has been using the platform to help...

A crowd of people march on the street in a protest passing by parked cars holding protest banners.

East Village rally protests destruction of houseless communities

New York residents protested the citywide sweeps and demanded that Mayor Eric Adams provide community-controlled housing during a demonstration in Tompkins Square Park on April 8.
Gabriel Hawthorne, Deputy News Editor April 12, 2022

More than 100 people stood in solidarity with their unhoused neighbors on Friday, April 8, to protest the sweep of encampments throughout New York City. The Tompkins Square...

Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks at a podium during a press conference. She stands in front of an American flag and a royal blue background. She is wearing a black blazer with a pale blue collared shirt.

Opinion: Struggling New Yorkers need Good Cause Eviction legislation

The state eviction moratorium expired in February, leaving thousands of New Yorkers — Black renters in particular — vulnerable to homelessness. A proposed Good Cause Eviction bill would limit rent hikes and reduce evictions.
Asha Ramachandran, Deputy Managing Editor March 7, 2022

As New York rent prices increase to their highest levels in decades, Gov. Kathy Hochul has left tenants out to dry. The eviction moratorium that allowed hundreds of thousands of...

Gov. Hochul’s administration ended the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The state needs to resume this program with state funding until federal funding can be secured. (Image via Wikimedia Commons)

Editorial: Hochul should continue funding rent assistance

The New York state government decided to end the Emergency Rental Assistance Program because federal funds are running out. Gov. Kathy Hochul should exhaust state funding while requesting federal assistance to protect the housing insecure.
WSN Editorial Board November 22, 2021

For the past several months, New York has provided rental assistance to state residents struggling during the pandemic. With the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, the state...

The Arno river cuts through the city of Florence, the site of NYU’s campus in Italy. NYU’s limits on off-campus student housing options diminish financial accessibility at abroad locations — and impede students from fully experiencing their global study experience. (Staff Photo by Arnav Binaykia)

Opinion: NYU should expand off-campus housing options abroad

NYU’s limitations on students choosing off-campus housing while studying abroad restricts financial accessibility.
Michelle Han, Deputy Opinion Editor October 22, 2021

As pandemic travel restrictions ease up globally, NYU’s Office of Global Programs has resumed planning for study abroad — decisions for spring term applications were...

The privatization of housing has become a priority to the NYCHA. This leaves residences dealing with problems such as asbestos and mold. (Photo by Alexandria Johnson)

Opinion: NYCHA’s privatization plans must be put on hold

Ongoing class-action lawsuits filed by tenants of Queensbridge Houses underscore the hazardous living conditions and lack of transparency that characterize the New York City Housing Authority’s transition to private management through the Rental Assistance Demonstration program. Until residents are given a seat at the table, RAD must be put on hold.
Michelle Han, Deputy Opinion Editor September 17, 2021

Asbestos, lead, mold, severe leaking, flooding and vermin infestations: These are just a few of the concerns cited by Queensbridge Houses residents in the ongoing pair of class-action...

NYU continues construction on 181 Mercer Street in SoHo gentrifying the area. Mayor DeBlasio’s plan for affordable housing in the area does not serve the public interest of the surrounding area. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Opinion: De Blasio’s rezoning plan is gentrification in the making

Mayor Bill de Blasio pledged to increase access to affordable housing for SoHo, NoHo and Chinatown residents with a controversial upzoning plan. The plan, however, will likely instead increase gentrification in NYU’s backyard and reduce net affordable housing. The City Planning Commision should reject it outright.
Asha Ramachandran, Opinion Editor September 1, 2021

Last year, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office introduced a rezoning plan targeting much of SoHo, NoHo and parts of Chinatown. The city has emphasized the plan’s potential to create...

On Sunday, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo extended New York State On PAUSE, a policy mandating non-essential workers remain at home until at least April 15. Small business owners wonder about the future of their livelihoods and many are concerned about the strain on their income. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

New Yorkers Reflect on the PAUSE

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s New York State on PAUSE, which prevents non-essential workers from coming into work to delay the spread of COVID-19, has taken a toll on New York City business owners.
Nick Mead, Deputy News Editor March 29, 2020

Two days before New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced New York State On PAUSE — a policy mandating non-essential workers remain at home — Tom Birchard made the tough decision...

The Urgency of Housing Justice During the Pandemic

The Urgency of Housing Justice During the Pandemic

New York has done little to address the grave concerns of renters and homeowners as COVID-19 ravages the state. There is an urgent need for the government to protect New Yorkers by instituting immediate rent, mortgage and utility payment suspension.
Asha Ramachandran, Deputy Opinion Editor March 26, 2020

As New York has become the epicenter of the global coronavirus pandemic — accounting for 5% of global cases — Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been grossly overselling his own efforts...

Assemblyperson Richard Gottfried (left) and The Legal Aid Society lawyer Robert Desir (right) on Monday explaining The Housing Stability and Rent Protection Act of 2019. (Staff Photo by Ronni Husmann)

Historic Rent Laws Passed in June. Awareness of Them Has Been Less Historic.

Assemblyperson Richard Gottfried and lawyer Robert Desir explained how new rent laws benefit tenants at an event on Monday.
Ronni Husmann, Deputy News Editor October 29, 2019

LS sophomore Isabella Kloster knew she had to get an apartment in June, since she had planned to live in the city over the summer. What she didn’t know was that the $400 application...