We'll have more this afternoon on the massive "Blueprint for the Bronx" meeting/rally held by the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition on Sunday at St. Nicholas of Tolentine School but here's a nugget of news from it that stands out.
The meeting was largely about the Kingsbridge Armory, but Coalition leaders also pressed elected officials on other issues including the repeal of vacancy decontrol. When asked whether he'd work to end vacancy decontrol (for apartments that rent for $2,000 or more), State Senator Pedro Espada said yes but he added that vacancy decontrol "will affect very few units in our district."
Despite the qualifier, it represented a change of position for Espada who, in a September session with reporters in his office, said he didn't support repealing the vacancy decontrol and instead wants to focus on creating more incentives for developers to construct affordable housing.
In an op-ed in the current issue of the Norwood News, Gregory Lobo-Jost of University Neighborhood Housing Program, explains that vacancy decontrol does affect Espada's district because it drives the working poor from elsewhere in the city to Bronx.
Coalition leaders said they would be following up with Espada in the coming months and warned, "We will know how to pull the lever and use the power of our vote."
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Espada Says He Now Supports Repealing Vacancy Decontrol
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