CM Williams Decries Rent Hike For Rent Regulated Apartments
Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood), Chair of the Committee on Housing and Buildings, yesterday decried the Rent Guidelines Board’s (RGB) decision to increase rent 1.25% for one-year leases, and 2% for two-year leases yesterday.
On Tuesday night, the Rent Guidelines Board voted (7-2) to allow increases in rent regulated apartments for the first time in two years. The new increases will take effect as of October 1 of this year.
Rent regulated apartments are in buildings that were built before 1974 with six or more units, and also constructed or renovated since then with special tax benefits.
“Property owners have the right to make money on their investments, at the same time, it’s not right to do so on the backs of crippling communities and struggling people. Yesterday’s decision is a missed opportunity to follow two historic years where the board first asked the fundamental question of whether people should be paying more, not how much more they should be paying,” said Williams.
Williams continued, “Still, even a rent freeze does not assist a growing number of tenants crippled by large increases after an arbitrary removal of preferential rent, which is used to circumvent rent regulation protections. Nor does it prevent abuses of Major Capital Improvements or harassment of tenants. Truth is, our current system is bad for small struggling owners as well, particularly responsible owners who are just trying to make ends meet. The fact that the RGB only has a one-size fits all approach is problematic, yet we should keep in mind an owner’s ability to apply for and prove hardship. We simply can’t separate the high rate of rent in this City with the rising homelessness we see families struggling with.”
New York City Council Committee On Immigration To Focus On ICE
Council Member Carlos Menchaca (D-Sunset park, Red Hook), Chairman of the Committee on Immigration, will lead a joint oversight hearing with the Committee on Courts and Legal Services on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in New York City.
Menchaca is the first Mexican-American person to be voted into the City Council and just last month hosted the first Mexican Vital Records Pop-up Site in the City to address the growing number of Mexican immigrants needing basic documentation in order to receive access to vital city services like healthcare, NYC ID, education, etc.
The meeting is slated for 1 p.m., today, June 29 at Council Chambers in City Hall in Lower Manhattan.
Hamilton Applauds CB 9 Rejection of Bedford Union Armory Deal
State Senator Jesse Hamilton (D-Central Brooklyn) is applauding the recent rejection of the Bedford Union Armory Project by Community Board 9.
On Tuesday night, CB 9 voted “no” on the revitalization project to bring in a new recreational center, affordable housing and luxury condos into the Crown Heights neighborhood.
“I am proud of our neighborhood and I am proud of Community Board 9 for rejecting the current Bedford Union Armory plans last night,” said Hamilton.
Hamilton continued, “I continue to support building an inclusive, welcoming community center that meets our neighborhood needs. Our hard-working community groups deserve a space to help serve our neighborhood. We should not have to build luxury housing to secure that space. Our young people deserve tech classes and a place where they can prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. We should not have to build luxury housing to secure that space. Our neighbors, friends, and families deserve options in the face of the housing crisis. We should not have to build luxury housing to secure truly affordable housing.”
“As a community, we must reject those offering the false choice, “build this luxury housing or else. We have the opportunity to build 100% affordable. We must seize that opportunity and press for a deal that meets all our community’s needs,” said Hamilton.
Simon Hosts Her 3rd Annual Senior Resource Fair
Assembly Member Jo Ann Simon (D-Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill) will host her 3rd Annual Senior Resource Fair this Friday.
Alongside State Senators Velmanette Montgomery (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Boerum Hill) and Daniel Squadron (D-North Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan) the event will provide senior citizens with information on legal services, health care, government and community resources, and more.
The fair will be immediately followed by a Town Hall, that will be held with special guests from the NYC Department for the Aging and the Radical Age Movement.
The event is slated for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., this Friday, June 30 at St, Francis College, 180 Remsen Street (between Court and Clinton Streets) in downtown Brooklyn. The Town Hall is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m.
