Freeze the Rent! BUJNYC Testimony to the Rent Guidelines Board

The decision to “freeze the rent” in New York City this year is in the hands of the members of the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB). Each year, the RGB decides on the maximum percentage increase that landlords of rent-stabilized buildings are allowed to increase the rent for the coming year. On Thursday of this week, the RGB held one of its final public hearings before members take their vote–giving each speaker two minutes to share their voice. BUJNYC Tenant Organizer Johnny Rivera attended the hearing and gave his testimony urging the members to vote for a zero-percent increase. Here are Johnny’s remarks to the board:

I am a tenant organizer with Build Up Justice NYC, a nonprofit that has provided tenants with housing legal services for more than 50 years.

When I meet with groups of tenants facing serious repair problems in their apartments and common areas, as well as harassment and rent overcharges, they are often hesitant to pursue court action. In many cases, they have spent a long time reporting these issues, continued to pay their rent on time, and done everything they can to be responsible tenants. Even so, because many tenants are not accustomed to taking anyone to court, they face a painful choice: continue living in unsafe conditions or turn to the courts as a last resort. These are tenants who want to live their lives without carrying this extra burden.

Landlords should not be permitted to torment families with deplorable living conditions. They profit from these buildings through rent and continue building wealth through assets worth millions, while tenants are left to suffer and bear the cost. Affordability is a society’s responsibility. Public policy should ensure that basic human needs are met rather than shifting more of the burden onto tenants.

Because a rent increase will not disrupt landlords’ wealth-building plans but will deepen the strain on tenants already facing a rising cost of living, the Rent Guidelines Board should ensure there is no rent increase.