Public Advocate Candidate Bill de Blasio today organized residents in Washington Heights to protest an expected rent hike by gathering petition signatures, collecting letters, and distributing call sheets.
 
On Tuesday, tomorrow, the Rent Guidelines Board is expected to vote to raise rents on rent stabilized apartments.  Last week, De Blasio introduced City Council Resolution 2044 calling for the Rent Guidelines Board to impose a rent freeze.
 
“Raising rents in the middle of a recession will drive working families into poverty.   Every month, more and more New Yorkers lose their jobs. If we do not keep rents stable, they will start losing their apartments as well.   I am organizing our neighborhoods and the public to demand that the Rent Guidelines Board keep our City affordable for all New Yorkers,” said Bill de Blasio.
 
“New Yorkers are already struggling to get by in this increasingly expensive City.  By raising rents at this difficult economic time, we will be turning this problem into a catastrophe. I am proud to stand with Bill de Blasio and tenants across our City in opposing the Rent Guidelines Board’s proposed rent increases,” said State Senator Eric Schneiderman.

“New York City is fast turning from the greatest City on earth to the most expensive City on earth.  Raising rents will have a devastating effect on working families and communities throughout the five boroughs.   I want to thank Bill de Blasio for coming into our community and helping tenants make sure their voices are heard,” said Council Member Miguel Martinez.
 
“It is outrageous that the Rent Guidelines Board is planning to raise rents in the middle of a recession. Our City’s unemployment rate is higher than it’s been in over a decade. Forcing struggling New Yorker’s to pay even higher rents is a recipe for disaster. I applaud Bill de Blasio for standing up for working families and middle class New Yorkers who cannot afford another rent hike,” said Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat.
 
While organizing Washington Heights residents today, De Blasio was joined by Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat, Council Member Miguel Martinez, and representatives of Assemblyman Adriano and State Senator Eric Schneiderman.

(YWN Desk – NYC)