Here in New York, housing advocates took over a public meeting discussing rent hikes on 1 million rent-stabilized apartments. Activists rallied ahead of the meeting, and protesters took to the stage, where members of the Rent Guidelines Board were seated, to draw attention to the dire situation of many renters in New York. Tenant rights groups are calling for rent freezes or decreases, saying housing and other costs of living are already squeezing New Yorkers and that any new increase could result in homelessness or other critical situations. A number of councilmembers spoke on behalf of their constituents. This is Chi Ossé, who represents Bedford-Stuyvesant and North Crown Heights in Brooklyn.

Councilmember Chi Ossé: “Jamaiah’s rent is over 50% of their income. Jamaiah’s rent is so high that at this moment they are unable to eat. They rely on food pantries to have access to food. If their rent were to go up even one dollar, it would affect them by being able to eat even less food. Shame!”

A preliminary vote at yesterday’s hearing approved a rent increase of 2% to 7% on stabilized units.