Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) are more than just contracts. They are collaborative tools that bring together developers, host municipalities, and/or local community groups to mitigate the local effects of large infrastructure projects and other types of development. These agreements are not one-size-fits-all; they can be tailored to meet a host community's specific needs and address the exact impacts of a project. The host community will typically receive a combination of monetary and non-monetary benefits, while the developer will typically receive increased community support and certainty in the approval process.

As a member of the City Council, I am committed to proposing legislation that will provide the necessary guidance and framework for using CBAs in New York City. This legislation will empower community organizations and representatives to negotiate directly with developers for the benefits most important to them, thereby shaping urban development projects to improve the lives of the low-income residents and residents of color who bear the burdens of systemic inequities and are typically excluded from or harmed by such projects. The community benefits outlined in a CBA can cover a range of issues the community coalition prioritizes, such as affordable housing, local and targeted hiring, living wage requirements, open space, and other benefits.

 

As of November 2024, eight municipalities in the United States had legislation on CBAs. In addition, 41 states had legislation on CBAs.