More than a hundred residents gathered at the Sunnyside Community Services (SCS) center recently to rally for reform of the Major Capital Investment (MCI) rent increase procedures.
The current evaluation processes for the MCI rent increase application submitted by landlords, have been given the thumbs up by the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR).
Landlords have been able to increase rent for having installed new roofing and main entrance doors.
“They don’t fix anything,” said Duby Panagosi, a tenant leader from Sunnyside.
She pointed out that the improvements often result in defective roofs, leaks and inoperable door locks.
Tenants claimed their rents increased despite a lack of improvements on the buildings, the failure of proper notification and exclusion from the process.
“Hundreds and hundreds of tenants come to our office saying they do not understand the rent increase notification written in English,” said Carmela Musio Dormani, representative of the Queens Housing Coalition (QHC).
“We must protect tenants from rent increases,” said Assemblymember Francisco Moya, who was also at the rally. “We need affordable housing to be an attainable right and to pass housing reform in Albany.”
According to Panagosi, tenants have been charged more in rent for every square foot of space, even when improvements have not been made.
“For every room, they charge us rent, even the hallways,” Panagosi said. “They send people with very little experience to fix the buildings and it breaks again.”
During the rally, tenant leaders continued to voice their anger and opinions in alliance with the QHC to change the way applications are granted.
“We are going to fight until the end,” said Dania Joaquin, tenant leader.
Residents and tenant advocacy groups have demanded materials be translated, proper inspections be made prior to application approval and clear information be provided by the DHCR, to promote a better understanding of the process.
“We want people informed,” said housing intern, Alex Wainfeld of the Queens Community House in Forest Hills. “Make it more accessible, not just to a selected few.”
