Rent Deal has Some Pluses for Tenants: AARP

Association Says Deal Should Have Gone Further, Ensuring Sufficient Affordable Housing in NYC Remains Critical Priority

Statement by Beth Finkel, State Director of AARP in New York State, on agreement to extend and strengthen current rent laws:

“The agreement by state leaders to extend and strengthen New York’s rent laws includes improved protections for tenants.

“But it doesn’t go nearly as far as AARP had hoped, and the need to ensure sufficient affordable housing in New York City – particularly for older residents on fixed or limited incomes, remains a critical priority for us.

“AARP developed several basic principles to protect tenants and safeguard the city’s affordable housing stock. This deal reflects steps toward achieving those principles by raising the rent threshold for exiting rent stabilization – including indexed increases as determined by the Rent Guidelines Board - increasing penalties for tenant harassment, curtailing landlords’ ability to exploit the financing of improvements through permanent rent increases and limiting rent increases for apartments vacated by tenants who had preferential rents.

“We have an affordable housing problem in New York City; 61% of Gen Xers and Baby Boomers are concerned about their ability to afford monthly rent or mortgage payments in the coming years, according to an AARP survey of city voters. The level of concern is over 70% among African-Americans and Hispanics.

“Seniors are particularly vulnerable; 51% of single senior renter households live in rent stabilized or rent controlled units and 65% of those in rent stabilized households pay more than half their income for rent, according to the city’s 2011 Housing and Vacancy Survey.

“AARP will continue working with policymakers to ensure the Big Apple remains an affordable place to live, work, play - and age.”

Contact: Erik Kriss, ekriss@aarp.org

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin;  www.aarp.org ; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity of AARP that is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at  www.aarp.org .

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