First-Of-Its-Kind 'Freelancers Hub' Coming To DUMBO

DUMBO, BROOKLYN — Kiss your WeWork membership goodbye. New York City plans to open a first-of-its-kind workspace in DUMBO to support the city's booming freelance community, officials announced Wednesday.

Located at the Made in NY Media Center at 30 John St., the "Freelancers Hub" will offer free networking space and other services for independent workers in media and entertainment, according to a news release.

Backed by the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment and run by the Freelancers Union, the hub will make New York the nation's first city to give direct support to creative freelancers, who face instability in the growing gig economy, city officials said.

"With more than a third of our workforce operating as freelancers, NYC's economy depends on independent workers — that's why we have their backs," said Alicia Glen, the deputy mayor for housing and economic development, in a statement.

The hub is expected to open in the first week of October, said a spokeswoman for the Office of Media and Entertainment.

Memberships will come with four free days of workspace each month, officials said. The hub will also provide monthly meetups for freelancers, free legal help and workshops on managing and building a freelance business, according to the news release.

The space continues the city's efforts to support freelancers, who officials say account for nearly two-fifths of New York City workers but often face challenges such as late payments, high debt and a lack of health insurance.

The city's Freelance Isn't Free Act, which took effect last year, entitles freelance workers to on-time payments, a written contract and protection from retaliation and empowers them to complain about violations of the rules.

Some 72 percent of the complaints the Department of Consumer Affairs received in the law's first year came from workers in arts and entertainment fields, such as filmmakers, designers, journalists and composers, the city said.

The Freelancers Hub will also create a report on "the state of freelancing within the five boroughs" to provide more data on independent work in the city, the Office of Media and Entertainment said.

"Too many freelancers in New York City struggle with issues ranging from nonpayment to difficulty accessing health insurance, and they need a network to help their business thrive," Caitlin Pearce, the executive director of Freelancers Union, said in a statement. "We're grateful that the City of New York has recognized the need to provide resources to better serve this growing population of workers, and we hope Freelancers Hub can serve as a model for cities across the country."

New Yorkers can visit www.freelancershub.nyc for more information about the Freelancers Hub.

Correction: An earlier version of this story gave an incorrect address for the website where more information about the Freelancers Hub is available. It is www.freelancershub.nyc, not www.freelancersunion.nyc.

(Lead image: The Freelancers Hub will be housed at the Made In NY Media Center at 30 John St. in DUMBO. Image from Google Maps)