|
My ideas
address the issue of change. Something very complex
and fraught with fear for most people. What a shame
at this juncture in NYC’s and NY State’s
history, with record budget deficits, that the issue
of how massive positive change can take place in NYC
and NY State by only allowing the Rent Stabilization
law to end can not be discussed. Hopefully, it will
be.
In the past,
the only discussion has been Landlords screaming “I
need more rent” and tenants screaming “I
can’t pay more rent” and that has been the
“discussion” of our housing laws. It is
much more complex than this and should be discussed.
Allowing change brings to the forefront a very serious
issue - what to do with housing, and assisting, the
poor in America.
My ideas
about a “revolution” in the social service
system in America, which would be a wonderful vehicle
for allowing our Cities to return to the former glory
that they once were, to provide for a way to enable
those who can not take care of themselves to be self
sufficient, a way to greatly reduce the cost of social
service in America and a way to revitalize the American
economy. More details can be found on the link - Community
Living Centers (CLC’s).
If change
were allowed to take place, by allowing a free movement
of the middle class population from all over the world
that would love to live in NYC, NYC would be flush with
money and would be able to help those who the City felt
needed a subsidy to live in NYC. Senior Citizens without
independent resources and others in need - those the
City felt were ”entitled” to live in “The
Greatest City in the World” could be subsidized
by government, not private business.
(back to top)
NYC has 2 forms of rent regulations. Rent Controlled
tenants are from the 1960's and earlier and as they
die or vacate apartments, the apartments become either
Rent Stabilized or Decontrolled. There is a small body
of these tenants remaining. Since the obstacles for
getting rent increases is so cumbersome, it is not uncommon
to have a Rent Controlled tenant pay $100 a month for
rent! A bargain or a travesty?
Rent Stabilization came into effect in the 1970’s.
It was a time when the middle class were fleeing NYC
in full force. The only place middle class were moving
to was, basically, the Upper East Side (and Brooklyn
Heights). This meant there was a dramatically reduced
supply of housing and as demand shifted, particularly
in times of increased demand, rents would jump. The
NY State Legislators were informed and Rent Stabilization
was initiated. It has a wonderful name, sounds good
in principal - tenants are given lifetime rights to
live in their rental apartments and the rent increases
are regulated each year. What could be bad. And for
many years, it did not matter much.
The middle class were not so interested in moving
to NYC until the early ‘90’s, so the law
was not of great consequence, except the inherent unfairness
of it. Now the middle class from all over the world
would love to live in NYC, but most can not afford the
rents.
(back
to top)
|
