By Philip Newman
Queens activists have reacted with incredulity and outrage at the Rent Guidelines Board’s recommendation of rent increases despite calls for a freeze or reduction in rents because of what they see as lower landlord costs.
The board recommended that landlords be permitted to charge rent increases of 2 percent on one-year leases and 4 percent on two-year leases for rent stabilized apartments around the city.
The board, meeting at the U.S. Custom House at Bowling Green in Manhattan Monday night, ignored demands for rent reductions.
The increases are subject to a final vote on June 27 following a scheduled public hearing on June 26.
“It’s time to say ‘enough!’” said Penny Laforest of Glen Oaks, representing the Queens League of United Tenants. “We are asking the City Council to declare a moratorium on rent increases until they can study this remarkable situation in which some people are paying 40 and 45 percent of their income on these exorbitant rents.”
“Where are our elected officials?” she asked.
“If costs go up, we are charged heavy rent increases; if costs go down, our rent still goes up. We cannot win. If our salaries went up as much as rents, you can bet the City Council and politicians would find a way to stop it fast.”
The Queens League of United Tenants, Metropolitan Council on Housing, the Citywide Coalition on Housing, Tenants and Neighbors Coalition and other tenant advocacy groups have called for a moratorium on rent increases.
The decision affects 2.3 million tenants of rent-stabilized apartments in the five boroughs, including 156,958 such apartments in Queens. The new rent levels apply to lease renewals from Oct. 1, 2002 to Sept. 30, 2003.
Tenants advocates had called for a rent freeze or reduction, citing lower fuel costs during a mild winter and lower apartment owner operating costs.
Even so, the recommended increases are the lowest in years.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg had taken a hands-off stance on the matter.
Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 136.
