MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

Nearly a thousand tenants gathered on May 15 at the historic Riverside Church in Harlem, demanding a rent freeze to combat rising housing costs and a growing affordability crisis. The rally, organized by the Tenants Political Action Committee (Tenants PAC) and Tenants Bloc, brought together passionate advocates, city leaders, and mayoral candidates who voiced their commitment to fighting for renters across the five boroughs.

The event, which drew thousands from across the city, was highlighted by speeches from Mayoral Candidates, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, City Comptroller Brad Lander, and several local tenant leaders. The rally marks a critical moment in the ongoing struggle for affordable housing as New York City’s rent-stabilized tenants face the prospect of rent hikes for the fifth consecutive year.

New York City’s Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) has proposed rent increases of up to 7.75% for two-year leases and 4.75% for one-year leases, setting the stage for an intense debate as the board prepares for a final vote this summer. The proposal comes at a time when the city’s tenants are grappling with an affordability crisis that has left many struggling to remain in their homes. Approximately half of all city apartments are rent-stabilized, providing a measure of stability for residents who are now seeing the cost-of-living increase year after year.

“I want to say thank you, because we know in this city, a rent freeze is not a given. It has to be won. It has to be won and on June 24 that rent freeze is on the ballot. ” Mamdani said, energizing the crowd. “I want to thank the tenant bloc, because every time you go unlocked on doors, every time you come out to an event, every time you’re in a rally, you are increasing the power of that demand. You are reminding New Yorkers that their rent is on the ballot.”

Mamdani highlighted the toll of New York City’s affordability crisis, pointing to the displacement of working- and middle-class residents and the loss of nearly 20% of Black youth from 2010 to 2019. He called on tenants to fight back and demand a rent freeze to make the city livable again. “It’s working and middle-class New Yorkers who are being pushed out of this city because it’s the most expensive one in the country. Are you ready for a city you can afford? Are you ready to freeze the rent?”

Lander, who was also in attendance, expressed his support for tenants, emphasizing the importance of pushing for a rent freeze. “Tenants Bloc is building power to protect tenants in New York City and to demand a city that’s more affordable so tenants aren’t getting crushed and displaced,” Lander said. “Eric Adams’ rent guideline board has proposed 7.75% rent increases over two years, and tenants cannot afford that.”

Lander urged support for a rent freeze and warned against Andrew Cuomo’s mayoral bid, calling him “a disaster for the tenants of New York City” and “somebody who is funded by real estate,” emphasizing the need for “a city hall that actually shows up for tenants.”

The rally was also attended by Chen Ren Ping, a resident and community leader, who took the stage with a translator to share his perspective. “We need someone that fights for the people,” he said, voicing his support for Assemblymember Mamdani. “Cuomo has long been bought out by real estate. Long been bought out. We need a mayor that fights for tenants like you.”

The rally highlighted the deepening divide between the city’s renters and the political establishment, with many tenants feeling abandoned by officials who have been slow to address the housing crisis. The event underscored the growing momentum for a tenant-led political movement determined to make their voices heard at City Hall.

“New York City is America’s biggest city, and it’s the best place in the country,” said Ren Ping, capturing the spirit of the rally. “But we will continue to face the immense pressure of this affordability crisis.”

The call for a rent freeze echoes the broader concerns of many Democratic mayoral candidates, who have voiced support for rent stabilization measures and policies that would keep housing affordable for working-class New Yorkers. The final vote on the proposed rent hikes will take place in June, with any changes set to take effect in October.

The proposed rent hikes have drawn sharp criticism. In a joint statement, Ana Maria Archila and Jasmine Gripper of the New York Working Families Party denounced the Rent Guidelines Board, appointed by Mayor Eric Adams. “In all four years of his term, Mayor Adams’ Rent Guidelines Board has proposed hiking rent prices for over a million rent-regulated apartments. This rent increase isn’t just unnecessary — it’s cruel. At a time when most New Yorkers are already rent-burdened and squeezed by rising costs for necessities, taking another chunk out of their paychecks will only hurt,” they said. “Shame on Eric Adams and the Rent Guidelines Board. Election day is just over 50 days away. The time for new leadership is now.”

In the midst of rising rents and the pressure from real estate interests, tenants in New York City are mobilizing to take control of their future and ensure that they can continue to live in the city they have helped to build. As Mamdani put it, “We are going to keep New Yorkers in their homes, and we are going to ensure that the stability that you once had as rent-stabilized tenants is one that you get once again.”

The fight over rent hikes isn’t settled, but the rally at Riverside Church sent a clear signal: tenants across the city are mobilized and not letting this go without a fight.