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Budget, Education & City Services

Int. No. 340, to amend the administrative code of the City of New York, in relation to notification of intent to demolish certain rent regulated housing accommodations

WHEREAS, There is a great need for rent controlled and rent stabilized housing in Manhattan; and

WHEREAS, The vast majority of rent controlled and rent stabilized apartments are occupied by middle or low income families or individuals; and

WHEREAS, Rent-control and rent-stabilized beneficiaries are often single elderly individuals who do not have the means to find other non-assisted housing; and

WHEREAS, Rent-controlled and rent-stabilized tenants have a right to fair treatment by landlords and the New York City government; and

WHEREAS, The current city legislation does not require landlords to notify the City Council and Community Boards in writing of future demolitions to their rent controlled or rent stabilized residences; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Buildings (DOB) does not offer public lists of landlords who file to terminate rent controlled apartments; and

WHEREAS, “Phony demolitions” have been used as a pretence to coerce rent controlled and rent stabilized individuals out their apartments; and

WHEREAS, The general public, Community Boards and the City Council should be notified upon the termination of rent controlled and rent stabilized apartments; and

WHEREAS, Councilmember Rosie Mendez has introduced legislation that would require landlords to notify the City Council, Community Boards and rent controlled and rent stabilized tenants in writing regarding the demolition of rent controlled buildings; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five supports Councilmember Mendez’s Bill to Amend of the NYC Housing Code (Int. no. 340); be it further

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five supports the inclusion of an amendment to Int. no. 340 requiring DOB to publish a list of landlords who are evicting tenants from rent controlled and rent stabilized tenants due to demolition of the building.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 31 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 abstention.  

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