- See more at: http://blogtimenow.com/blogging/automatically-redirect-blogger-blog-another-blog-website/#sthash.Q6qPkwFC.dpuf Rally Calls for End to Vacancy Decontrol | Bronx News Networkbronx

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Rally Calls for End to Vacancy Decontrol

More than 500 NYC residents gathered together on Tuesday, December 9th at the New York Society for Ethical Culture to demand an end to vacancy decontrol, a practice by which landlords can take a vacant apartment out of rent regulation when the rent reaches $2,000. This rent control deregulation offers landlords incentives to raise rents to reach this threshold by whatever means necessary, including unsubstantiated improvements to common areas (major capital improvements), apartment renovations, and tenant harassment. Coalition members believe that they can get this law passed in Albany with a democratic-controlled state Senate, although that reality has been thrown into doubt by the unravelling of Malcolm Smith's deal with the Three Amigos.

A high school band kept energy levels high with pep songs at the start of the rally, and tenants led the room in chants like “La renta sube, sube/el pueblo sufre sufre” (The rent gets higher, higher/the people suffer suffer). Organized by Housing Here and Now, a coalition of non profit affordable housing providers, tenant groups, and community organizers, the rally called for the New York State Assembly and Senate to pass legislation to end this loophole.

The Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC) was one of eight organizations that planned the spirited gathering, along with ACORN, Community Voices Heard, Make the Road NY, NYS Tenants & Neighbors Coalition, New York Immigration Coalition, NYC AIDS Housing Network, and the Working Families Party. Tenants involved with each of these organizations shared personal stories and reflections on the impact of vacancy decontrol on their struggle to maintain apartments in neighborhoods throughout New York City.

New York State Senators and Assembly members (or their representatives) in attendance signed a statement pledging to address repeal of vacancy decontrol with their chamber’s Speaker, Housing Chair, and the Governor by January 10, 2009. State senators in attendance were José M. Serrano, who represents parts of the South Bronx and East Harlem, Tom Duane, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and representatives from Senators Liz Krueger, Diane Savino, Joseph Addabbo, and Daniel Squadron. There were also representatives from Assembly members Karim Camara, Hakeem Jeffires, Linda Rosenthal, and Deborah Glick.

Sitting in one of several NWBCCC sections underneath the balcony, it was difficult to assess the full size of the audience in the 812 seat venue but the main level was filled to capacity. We received a visit from Senator Jose Serrano who came to see his “Bronx people,” thanking us for coming and encouraging the work of New Settlement Apartment’s CASA Housing Organizing Initiative. Folks can get involved in future efforts to end vacancy decontrol by visiting the Housing Here and Now website or their blog.

2 comments:

  1. THIS THREE AMIGO VERY GET THEMSELF TOGETHER CAUSE IS NOT ABOUT THEM THIS IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE. THAT'S WHY RIGHT NOW I'M LOOKING TO SWITCH PARTY. DEMOCRACT'S START LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE. AND MR. DIAZ YOU SHOULD KEEP YOUR BIG MOUTH CLOSE CAUSE YOU WILL BE CAUSING YOUR SON PROBLEM FROM BECOME OUR NEXT BOROGHT PRESIDENT. BE A GOOD DEMOCRACT AND STAND BY MALCOM SMITH THAT DESERVE TO BE THE LEADER AT LEAST JOIN MALCOM AND THINK OF YOUR SON FUTURE. DON'T LET WHAT HAPPEN TO MR. RIVERA HAPPEN TO YOU. STAY AWAY FROM CLOWN ESPADA AND CLOWN CRUKER. DIAZ ESPADA IS BAD NEWS AGAIN STAY AWAY FROM HIM. I HOPE YOU TAKE THE ADVISE IF YOU DON'T YOU CAN KISS THE BOROGHT PRESIDENT SEAT GOOD BYE FOR YOUR SON AND THAT WILL BE VERY SAD. I LIKE YOUR SON. HE IS A GOOD GUY.

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  2. Tenant advocates need to stop crying and complianing about rent stabilization because WE ALL KNOW the RS laws are PRO-TENANT laws. Why is it fair for the landlord to sudsidize a tenant paying below market rent when he is paying MARKET rate expenses? Explain that. We live in a capitalist country, not socialist. Rent stabilization uses the ROBIN HOOD theory..."take from the rich to give to the poor" How is that fair to landlords?

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