Government
Kingston Made Rent Law History Two Years Ago. That Was the Easy Part.
Emma Whitford and Sam Mellins |
For tenants in the first upstate city to adopt rent stabilization, benefiting from the law’s basic protections is an uphill battle.
Government
City Moves to Resurrect Tax Breaks for Renovations, But Housing Stakeholders Are Split
Chris Janaro |
The city’s lawmakers and housing agency seem poised to reintroduce and pass a more affordability-focused J-51 tax program to help fix up apartments—but some housing stakeholders are lukewarm on the prospect.
Economy
NYC Stabilized Tenants Face Another Round of Rent Hikes
Emma Whitford |
In a swerve from precedent, the Rent Guidelines Board’s two tenant members dismissed Tuesday’s preliminary vote as a sham, casting a vote of no confidence in both the board and Mayor Eric Adams.
Government
‘We Don’t Want Anything Rolled Back’: Tenants Target REBNY as State Housing Talks Drag On
Chris Janaro and Emma Whitford |
Protesters marched outside the Real Estate Board of New York’s Manhattan headquarters Thursday, while others blocked foot traffic in an act of civil disobedience. The NYPD arrested 13 people, including the city’s Public Advocate, Jumaane Williams.
Government
Simmering State Rent Increase Proposals Have Tenant Groups On Guard
Emma Whitford |
As state lawmakers debate how best to address New York’s dual housing and homelessness crises, tenant advocates are keeping a wary eye on proposals they say would undermine landmark 2019 protections for renters in stabilized apartments.
Housing and Homelessness
Two Bills Targeting Illegal Rent Increases Await Their Fate
Emma Whitford |
The state Senate and Assembly passed a duo of bills in June aimed at helping rent stabilized tenants dig deeper into their rent histories to challenge suspicious increases. The governor has yet to act on them.
CITY VIEWS: OPINIONS and ANALYSIS
Opinion: Four Bills Awaiting Hochul’s Signature Would Ease NY’s Housing Crisis
Sue Susman and Edward Ratliff |
“A crucial part of solving the housing crisis is retaining the rent-stabilized housing stock that exists. By signing S2980, S2943, S1684 and S995, Gov. Hochul would keep more rent stabilized apartments available at honest rents by landlords known to their tenants, and enable more municipalities to decide whether they want the same.”
CITY VIEWS: OPINIONS and ANALYSIS
Opinion: We Can’t Regulate Our Way Out of a Housing Crisis
Jay Martin |
“Ending the ability to combine units will lead to less housing, not more. You cannot regulate your way out of a housing affordability crisis. You need to build your way out.”
Housing and Homelessness
Supreme Court Tosses Broad Challenge to Rent Stabilization in NY
Emma Whitford |
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday said it will not consider a challenge to rent stabilization from major landlord groups in New York, prompting a sigh of relief among tenants even as they await clarity on two other similar cases still pending.
Government
SCOTUS Will Soon Toss or Take Rent Stabilization Cases. Here’s What to Know.
Emma Whitford |
The public will likely learn in October if challenges to rent stabilization—from landlords and trade groups including the Community Housing Improvement Program and Rent Stabilization Association—will proceed before the U.S. Supreme Court.
