NYC Officials Demand Albany Lawmakers Extend, Strengthen Rent Regulations
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New York City residents are on edge over rent regulations that are set to expire in just over a week.
As WCBS 880's Jim Smith reported, Rose Johnson, of Harlem, is nervous she may lose her rent-regulated apartment if Albany doesn't act.
"Because I would probably have to leave and I wouldn't be able to afford much else," she said.
NYC Officials Demand Albany Lawmakers Extend, Strengthen Rent Regulations
Current rent control laws expire on June 15, 1010 WINS' Roger Stern reported.
At a news conference Saturday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said the fate of some 2 million New Yorkers hangs in the balance, laying out a doomsday scenario if rent regulations expire.
"Every rent regulated unit in this city would revert to the market and hundreds of thousands of people would be defenseless," de Blasio said. "That's how dire it is and that's how serious it is."
NYC Officials Demand Albany Lawmakers Extend, Strengthen Rent Regulations
Comptroller Scott Stringer said Albany needs to act soon.
"There's no time to weaken the laws. We have strengthen the laws," Stringer said.
And by strengthening the law, de Blasio said he wants to put an end to vacancy deregulation, which he said has eroded the number of affordable apartments.
"Landlords should not be able to take an affordable apartment and turn it into a luxury apartment," the mayor said.
The Assembly has already passed a bill, leaving the Senate and governor.
In an op-ed piece, Gov. Andrew Cuomo agreed with many of the mayor's proposals and promised to call lawmakers back into special session until regulations are passed.
