‘Our state leaders were handed an incredible opportunity to confront an unprecedented global health crisis that has hit New Yorkers hard. We are calling on them not to squander it but to help us all return to a new New York. They can use the federal funds to cancel rent. They can house all our homeless neighbors.’
Although there’s no clear data tracking the number of rent strikes taking place across the city, the advocacy coalition Housing Justice for All says they’ve become more common during the COVID-19 crisis. An informal count by the group estimated 100 tenant groups or associations in New York participated in the nationwide rent strike action earlier this spring.
‘For the sake of advancing political agendas, ‘no rent’ sounds much better than rental relief or rental subsidies. However, at some point, simple logic must prevail.’
‘Right now, our primary responsibility should be keeping our families and communities safe. Since the governor has refused to step in and issue a rent moratorium, we have no choice but to stop paying.’
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