The Rent Guidelines Board approved a 3% rent increase for 2.4 million rent-stabilized tenants in New York City. Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani aims to freeze rents for four years. The sentiment among tenants has shifted, with those advocating for rent stability expressing optimism about Mamdani's possible election. Comptroller Brad Lander highlighted the support from voters for a rent freeze. Despite the increase, many tenants feel hopeful about future changes, emphasizing their need for affordable housing and a voice in the process.
"Every year tenants come out here and we tell stories about how rent burdened we are, how we can't afford to live here... and it falls on deaf ears," said Elisa Martinez, a rent stabilized tenant from Washington Heights.
"One million New Yorkers last Tuesday voted for candidates who said 'freeze the rent,'" Lander said. "We are talking about people's dreams to stay in their homes and raise their families... It's not too much to ask."
Though he wasn't there himself, the excitement around the democratic nominee for mayor's proposal to freeze the rent during all four years as mayor was unmistakable.
I feel like the energy is palpable today," said Martinez, who helped organize tenants in support of a rent freeze. "Knowing that we're gonna push a mayor into office who listens to tenants like us."
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