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Narr:
Only three percent of New York City apartments are available for rent. In this tight market, rent stabilization and rent control guarantee tenants the right to stay in their apartments with limited rent increases. Council members at today's hearing all agreed that laws to extend rent stabilization and rent control are necessary. Council Speaker Christine Quinn said the new laws will not be any weaker than the old ones.
AX: Christine Quinn
Narr:
What was under debate, today, was a new report by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. The agency surveyed tenants and concluded that there are an adequate number of rent stabilized units on the market.
Councilwoman Rosie Mendez represents Manhattan's Lower East Side and Alphabet City. She said the survey results were too optimistic. The reality, she said, is that poor people are losing housing.
AX: Rosie Mendez
Narr:
Shaun Donovan of HPD said that when such harassment happens, it's illegal. But, he stressed that new rent stabilized units are coming on the market because of the city's new tax abatements and affordability programs. Donovan said HPD uses incentives, but is not in the business of setting rents.
AX: Shaun Donovan
Narr:
One of the tenants present was Tom Syracuse, a retired public school teacher on a fixed income. He has lived in his W. 74th Street apartment for 35 years. Syracuse said the new law should return control of rent regulation to the city.
AX: Tom Syracuse
Narr:
The changes to the rent control laws will be voted on this spring. I'm Dani McClain, Columbia Radio News.