Zohran Mamdani's proposal for a citywide rent freeze has sparked debate during the NYC mayoral primary. He plans to appoint supportive members to the rent guidelines board to cap annual rent increases on 1 million rent-stabilized apartments. Critics argue this is unrealistic amidst a broader push to deregulate housing. Many New Yorkers struggle to afford basic needs; stories reveal the pervasive risk of homelessness for moderate-income individuals. Rent freezes are seen as vital lifelines for those facing potential eviction and housing instability.
In 2023, a report revealed that half of New Yorkers couldn't afford basic needs such as housing, transportation, food and healthcare. This is the New York that I grew to know intimately before I joined the board.
It's not just low-income tenants at the mercy of landlords. Over the last 12 years, I've listened to thousands of stories and the one common thread is how easy it is for a moderate-income person to wind up homeless.
For these New Yorkers, a rent freeze isn't some out-of-touch idea; it's a lifeline.
Sudden unemployment, unexpected disability coupled with a rent increase, and now you're fighting like hell to survive housing court and not join the 350,000 homeless New Yorkers.
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