Historic Rent Guidleine Board Votes Zero Percent Increase
More than 1.2 million New Yorkers living in rent-regulated apartmnets The city’s Rent Guidelines Board, last night, voted for the first time in its 46-year history for a zero percent increase on one-year, rent-stabilized leases, and a two-percent increase on two-year leases.
The 7-2 vote affects more than 1.2 million New Yorkers living in rent-regulated apartments the leases of which expire this year. The following is the reaction of some of the borough’s elected officials.
Mayor Bill de Blasio: “This was the right call. For the first time in the history of the Rent Guidelines Board, more than a million hardworking and hard-pressed tenants will see no increase in their rent. I applaud the Rent Guidelines Board for making tonight’s decision based on hard data, including the unprecedented 21 percent drop in fuel costs over this past year.
“We know tenants have been forced to make painful choices that pitted ever-rising rent against necessities like groceries, childcare and medical bills. Today’s decision means relief. Our administration will continue to work on all fronts to help protect tenants against harassment and displacement. We are equally committed to working with building owners to help modernize their properties to lower their costs, and to ensuring our city’s affordable housing remains in good financial health.”
Borough President Eric Adams: “With today’s rent freeze, common sense prevailed at the Rent Guidelines Board and tenants made history. As a small property owner and landlord, I have long understood that it is possible to make a rent freeze work because I have managed to provide it for years to the tenants in my own building. This is the right thing to do for our tenant population that is struggling to make it from paycheck to paycheck, spending an inordinate amount of their earnings on having a safe place to call home.
“Solving our affordable housing crisis is not an easy task, and it will require hard choices. However, the needs of many must always outweigh the greed of a few. At a time where leaders in Albany have failed to stand up for the tenants that make this city’s greatness possible, it is more important than ever that leaders in New York City have stood up for them.”
Comptroller Scott Stringer: “Nearly half a century and finally a rent freeze! I am gratified that the Rent Guidelines Board — for the first time in its history — has heard the voice of the people. As my report “The Growing Gap: New York City’s Housing Affordability Challenge” found, the stock of affordable rent-stabilized apartments is declining in our City and low-income households are increasingly burdened by their rent payments. Tonight’s decision will provide much-needed relief to households throughout the five boroughs who have been hit hard by recent changes in the City’s housing landscape.”
Flatbush City Councilman Jumaane Williams: “Tonight’s vote sends a clear message that the City of New York is determined to provide relief for its residents, unlike Governor Cuomo and Albany who recently enacted detrimental rent laws that could eliminate approximately 90,000 affordable housing units due to deregulation over the next four years– units that do not just provide an affordable price point for tenants, but offer protections against arbitrary evictions as well. Separately, due to Albany’s inability to close unresolved loopholes with preferential rent, approximately 27% of tenants could see their rent go up by thousands of dollars, regardless of tonight’s RGB decision and without advance notice.
“Even though Governor Cuomo completely and thoroughly let New York City tenants down, we’ve found solace tonight from one of the most unlikely of places: the RGB. Throughout the RGB’s history, the Board has always asked what the annual increase should be, not whether an increase was needed at all. This year was different, so for that I thank them. As we move forward, I will continue to work with advocates and elected officials to solve our affordable housing crisis so that New York City can become a place for all to thrive.”
De Blasio Signs Fair Chance Act
The Fair Chance Act extends the reach of New York City’s existing fair-chance policy to the private sector. City government agencies have been operating under a fair-chance hiring policy since 2011, thanks to an executive order signed by then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
“This is one of the strongest Ban the Box bills in the nation, and will ensure that all New Yorkers, including those with convictions for previous mistakes, will have an equal opportunity to compete for jobs that they qualify for. Though the legislation does not require employers to hire any particular applicant, it delays the background check, thus supplementing preexisting law that says employers cannot deny a job because of a record unless there is a direct relationship to the job. Not only does employment strengthen communities and lower recidivism,” said Williams.
De Blasio said the measure opens the door to jobs for New Yorkers who have already paid their debt to society, rather than condemning them to a grim economic future.
“Now, all applicants will get a fair shot at the opportunities that can lead them on a pathway to success. I want to thank Speaker Mark-Viverito for her leadership, as well as Manhattan Borough President Brewer and Council Member Williams for sponsoring this legislation,” said de Blasio.
Brooklyn Senior Idol Faces Cease & Desist lawsuit
Bay Ridge Sen. Marty Golden, who for the past seven years co-hosted “Brooklyn Senior Idol”, is inviting local residents to submit suggestions to rename the show in the wake of a cease and desist legal letter from the firm representing American Idol.
The letter from the firm, Holmes Weinberg, PC, representing FremantleMedia North America, the producer of American Idol, states “While our client appreciates your enthusiasm for the American Idol and Idol brands, as a federal trademark owner, FremantleMedia cannot allow the unauthorized use of the Brooklyn Senior Idol Mark in connection with talent competition services. Cease using the Brooklyn Senior Idol Mark in connection with your talent competitions and remove…any advertisements,
promotions, signs, or other material containing the Brooklyn Senior Idol mark.”
“You could imagine the surprise in receiving this letter but this won’t stop us. The show must go on and I thought it would be great fun to ask Brooklynites to help me rename the contest. We have been awed by the talent of our seniors in the past, and
this year’s event, despite a new name, will be just the same. Brooklyn’s talented seniors will make you laugh, cry and celebrate at the show regardless of what we call it.”
The letter comes as this year’s Fall show is currently in the early planning stages, with
auditions set for September and the contest set for early October. Residents wishing to submit a nomination to help decide the new name for the popular Brooklyn senior show, are encouraged to email Golden at golden@nysenate.gov. All nominations, which are due by July 31st, will be reviewed and a winning name announced in August.
Those interested in auditioning this year for the 8th annual show should contact Senator Golden’s office at (718) 238-6044.
De Blasio Tabs Brooklynite To Head EDC
Mayor Bill de Blasio, yesterday, announced his appointment of Brooklynite Maria Torres-Springer as the next President of the city’s Economic Development Corporation.
Torres-Springer, 38, comes to the EDC from the Department of Small Business Services where she has been commissioner since 2014.
As the first woman to head EDC, Torres-Springer will prioritize the development of advanced manufacturing, life-sciences and tech in New York City, ensuring businesses have the infrastructure and human capital they need to thrive and catalyzing equitable and sustainable growth in neighborhoods across the five boroughs.
“Maria has a proven track-record opening doors for New Yorkers and working closely with businesses to grow our economy. We are proud to have her lead EDC. Maria will focus on growing vital sectors in our economy, and preparing New Yorkers to seize those opportunities so they can be a part of our economic success story,” said de Blasio.
Torres-Springer received a B.A. in Ethics, Politics and Economics from Yale University and a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two daughters.
