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Metropolitan Council on Housing
339 Lafayette St. PERIODICAL
York,
New York, NY 10012
Vol 31, No. 10
25 ¢ December 2001
Congress Halts Forced Labor
for Public-Housing Tenants
By Kenny Schaeffer
F
ollowing months of spirited resistance from The victory, while cause
public-housing residents, particularly in New for celebration, is not the
York City, Congress has halted—at least for the end of the story, as Holder PACK THE COURTROOM!
next year—the controversial requirement that tenants points out. The require-
in federally subsidized buildings perform unpaid “com- ment was just nullified for Tenants are needed for the first day in court in the
munity service” or face eviction. the coming year. The next lawsuit challenging Governor Pataki’s recent changes
The legislation comes in the form of an amendment step is to repeal it entirely, to the Rent Stabilization Code. The judge must see
to the federal Department of Housing and Urban along with the other oner- that this issue is important to tenants. If we prevail,
Development’s budget for fiscal 2002, prohibiting HUD ous provisions of the Hous- the anti-tenant changes could be stopped statewide.
from spending any money to implement the work re- ing Quality Act of 1998.
quirement. It was introduced by Rep. Charles Rangel That law, sponsored by
(D-NY), who represents Harlem. former Long Island Re-
Vic Bach, policy analyst at the Community Service publican Rep. Rick Lazio, Monday, Dec. 10, 2001
Society, welcomed the news, calling the “forced labor” includes provisions aiming Brooklyn Criminal Court Building
requirement “an insult to public-housing residents.” to force low-income ten- 120 Schermerhorn St.
Under it, public-housing residents who are not work- ants out of public housing
ing full-time and are not elderly or disabled would have and replace them with PICKET
had do eight hours per month of community service middle-income tenants, as
without pay. well as privatization mea- 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., front of court house
“This is a huge victory for the Public Housing Resi- sures that would lead to- COME TO COURT
dent Alliance, who organized and won this fight,” de- ward getting the 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Room 308
clares Adrienne Holder, an attorney with the Legal Aid government entirely out
Society’s civil appeals and law-reform unit, who has of the business of meeting SUBWAY: A/C/G to Hoyt/Schermerhorn, 2/4/5 to
worked extensively on public-housing issues. “Credit society’s housing needs. Nevins St., or 2/4/5/N/R to Court St./Borough Hall
also goes to Congressman Charlie Rangel, who led the “The next step is passing
fight in Washington, along with Senators Chuck the Public Housing Ten-
The Pataki Code Changes:
Schumer and Hillary Clinton, who spoke to their col- ants Respect Act, which
leagues on the housing and banking committees.” repeals the worst provi- • Make it easier for landlords to evict and
No other recipients of federal housing aid, who in- sions of the Lazio law,” overcharge rent-stabilized tenants.
clude middle-class and even wealthy Americans, are declares Holder. That bill • Make it easier for landlords to increase rents for
subject to a requirement of this kind. They simply have was also introduced by MCIs, appliances and services, and harder for
to pay their rent and meet the other reasonable obli- Rangel. tenants to fight unfair increases.
gations of tenancy.
Fresh Air at City Council
By Kenny Schaeffer
As 38 new members get right to introduce legisla- items affecting vital pro- • Enhancing the be critical to the success of
ready to take their places tion were at the speaker’s grams in individual dis- power and independence the Fresh Democracy
alongside 13 returning pleasure. tricts, used in the past as of Council committees Council, which the savvy
incumbents in the City No more, if the Fresh carrots or sticks to force • Enhancing public and confident members
Council on January 1, a Democracy Council gets members into line with participation and open, keenly recognize. For this
breath of fresh air is waft- its way. Joined by several the speaker’s objectives. thorough debate reason, they have stated
ing through the body. returning members, in- “We’re making history,” • Creating a more that they will not an-
With the term-limits- cluding Bill Perkins of declared Robert Jackson, open a responsive budget nounce support for any of
forced retirement of Harlem, Margarita Lopez an FDC member elected process. the speaker candidates
Speaker Peter Vallone, a of the Lower East Side, from the 7th District The selection of the new
majority of the new mem- Christine Quinn of (West Harlem, Washing- speaker on January 9 will continued on page 8
bers have banded to- Chelsea, and Gifford ton Heights). The new
gether to form the Fresh Miller of Manhattan’s Up- members are “smart,
Democracy Council per East Side, FDC is call- committed to our city,
(FDC), demanding rules
changes to transfer power
ing for changes in the
Council’s rules and proce-
and interested in working
cooperatively,” added
ISSUE
INSIDE THIS ISSUE !
from the speaker’s office dures, including the right Gale Brewer, elected from
to the chairs of the of members to introduce the 6th District on the Bed-Stuy Rebirth ........................... pg. 2
Council’s standing com- bills and have them consid- Upper West Side.
El Inquilino Hispano .................... pg. 3
mittees, and, ultimately, ered by the appropriate The FDC’s four-point
its 51 members. Under committee, the power of program, released at a Lobbia
Julie L obbia Obituar y .................. pg. 5
Vallone and his iron- committee chairs to hold Nov. 1 City Hall press con-
handed predecessor, Tho- oversight hearings on is- ference, calls for: ead-Paint
L ead-Paint Decision ...................... pg. 6
mas Cuite, the Council sues within their purview, • Enhancing the abil-
endured decades where and an end to the ity of individual council- Charas Vigil ................................... pg. 7
members’ salaries, staff speaker’s unilateral con- members to speak for and
allowances, committee trol over the Council’s represent their constitu- My Apartment-Rental Stor y ......... pg. 7
Apartment-Rental
assignments and even the budget and member encies
2 December 2001 — TENANT/INQUILINO
BED-STUY REBIRTH
Pacenza
by Matt Pacenza Rent Wars: Ronin
Wars:
It’s been four long years for the the group will begin a $24 million SPECIAL ONE NIGHT SCREENING!
residents of Medgar Evers Houses rehab of the apartments and the
since the federal government common and commercial spaces, See...super-tenant Ronin do battle with Sleazy Slimey
announced they were giving the including the famed Bedford- Slumlord and his cronies in housing court!
boot to their troubled Bedford- Stuyvesant Boxing Center, which
Stuyvesant public-housing has trained fighters like former
project’s indifferent owners. Fi- heavyweight champ Riddick “Rent Wars: Ronin,” the animated film, will premiere
nally, last month, they got the Bowe. The nonprofits hope to
news they’d waiting for—a court ultimately provide an ambitious Tuesday December 11, 7 p.m
decision that removed the final array of on-site services from job
roadblock to an ambitious plan by training to counseling. Anthology Film Archives
Film Archives
the tenants and their nonprofit “The tenants suffered for de- Court House Theater
partners to rehabilitate their cades through a very inattentive
homes. previous owner,” said Angela Hope 32 2 nd
Avenue at 2 nd Street, Manhattan
“Pretty soon the cigars will be Weusi, director of Long Life. (F train to Second Ave)
lit,” said Carol Lamberg, executive “Now, we’re just like, Yeah!”
director of the Settlement Hous- Reprinted with permission from Tickets are $10
are
ing Fund, a member of the non- City Limits Weekly.
profit partnership that will purchase at the door or online at www.rentwars.com
manage the complex of 13 build-
ings which contain 465 apart- Complaint For more information see the rentwars web site or e-mail
ronin@rentwars.com or call 212-894-3748 x1670.
ments, several stores and a boxing
gym.
A decision from Judge Nina
Numbers Rent Wars Ronin is an animated cartoon supplement to Rent Wars
Gershon in Brooklyn federal News cable show and www.rentwars.com web site. Rent Wars
court rejected a last-ditch effort The Department of Hous- (both on TV and on-line) features investigative segments about
by the project’s current owners, tenants rights and the housing movement, while the animated
ing, Preservation and
Medgar Evers Houses Association shorts provide both humor and commentary on the stark realities
Development (HPD) faced by NYC tenants, particularly in housing court.
Limited Partnership, formerly
known as BPC Management, to Central Complaints
block the federal Department of hotline’s new number is: Rent Wars News airs in Brooklyn the second Wednesday of each
Housing and Urban Development (212) 824-4328 month at 9am and 5pm on Time Warner Channel 34 and
from taking its property. Cablevision Channel 67 and in Manhattan on the third Sunday of
HUD took over the buildings each month on Time Warner Channel 56 and RCN Channel 108.
The Department of Build-
and began the lengthy foreclosure ings has condensed its
process in 1996 after tenants suc- The most recent schedule is always available at www.rentwars.com
cessfully sued Medgar Evers borough phone numbers along with supplemental coverage of the month’s tenant issues.
Houses Association Limited Part- into one complaint line, Rent Wars News will begin a weekly schedule in January. Please
nership for failing to provide safe (212) 227-7000 check the web site for the latest scheduling information.
housing, despite receiving more
than $20 million in federal rent
subsidies since 1986. Not only
were their apartments riddled
with violations of the city housing
code, but lax security helped make Scott Sommer hosts Met Council’s
the complex a notorious and vio-
HOUSING
lent site for drug dealing and pros-
titution. is published monthly except August by
Last September, after running Metropolitan Council on Housing (Met
NOTEBOOK
the project for five years, HUD Council, Inc.), 339 Lafayette St.,
NY, NY 10012 (212) 979-6238
agreed to hand over the complex
to the Settlement Housing Fund, Tenant/Inquilino is distributed to members
Community Service Society, and to affiliated organizations of Met
Long Life Information and Refer- Mondays at 7:00 p.m. on Council as part of their membership.
Subscriptions are $2.50 per year for
ral Network and the tenant asso-
ciations. Once the foreclosure is WBAI 99.5 FM
WBAI 99.5 FM members, $5 for institutions per year.
complete, they hope, by January, COMMITTEE
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
Ella Matthews, Seth Miller,
William Rowen, Kenny Schaeffer
Listen on the Internet EDITOR
BECOME www.wbaifree.org/index.html Steven Wishnia
A
PRODUCTION/DESIGN
John M. Miller
SUPPORT LISTENER SUPPORTED WBAI PUBLIC RADIO
WRITING PHOTOGRAPHERS
William Rowen,
Marietta Hawkes
TENANT
Te n a n t N e t
™ Online Resource for STAFF
STAFF
Residential Tenants Florence Daniels, Vajra Kilgour,
Maria Maher, Anne Moy,
Joyce Rodewald, Gloria Sukenick
Met Council wants to New York Tenants
Articles, letters, artwork and photographs
profile you and your on the World Wide Web are welcome. Text furnished on Microsoft
Word for Macintosh is preferred. 3.5"
neighbors’ struggle to http://tenant.net MACINTOSH OR IBM FORMATTED
obtain affordable quality email: tenant@tenant.net
DISKETTES ARE PREFERRED.
housing. We want you Periodicals postage
to write for n Met Council’s Tenant/Inquilino newspaper posted paid at New York, NY
Postmaster: Send address changes to:
Tenant/Inquilino. monthly TENANT/INQUILINO
339 Lafayette St.
n News from other NY tenant groups New York, NY 10012
For more n Fact Sheets & complete Housing Laws Metropolitan Council on Housing,
information call n Bulletin Board & e-mail mailing list founded in 1958, is incorporated as Met
Met Council Council, Inc., a membership organiza-
n Rent Control/Rent Stabilization/DHCR information tion dedicated to decent, affordable,
212-979-6238 integrated housing.
n Weekly Housing Court Decision summaries
Viviendas para el pueblo, no para lucrarse
pueblo, December 2001 — TENANT/INQUILINO 3
EL INQUILINO HISPANO
Corte del Estado Pinta de Nuevo los
Casos de Envenenamiento de Plomo
Grossman
Por Jill Gr ossman
Traducido por Lightning Translations
Translations
Gracias a un caso decidido bía que el edificio se cons- todo el estado de Nueva les peligrosos de plomo en lias puedan acudir a la cor-
el 15 de noviembre por la truyó antes de 1960, se York,” dijo Peter Danziger, la sangre, una ley que ha te. “Esto cambia bastante
Corte de Apelaciones del había enterado que la pin- abogado de James y Sallie existido desde 1982 ya re- la dinámica,” dijo Matthew
Estado de Nueva York, in- tura se desprendía y sabía Chapman. El hijo de un quiere que los caseros de Chachere, abogado con la
quilinos en casas de una o que los inquilinos tenían año de estos, Jaquan, se edificios más grandes satis- Coalición para Dar Fin al
dos familias en la Ciudad de niños pequeños. Hasta envenenó por ingerir pin- fagan estos requisitos más Envenenamiento por In-
Nueva York tienen ahora ahora, las cortes de apela- tura de plomo luego que la estrictos. En los edificios gestión de Plomo en la
mejores posibilidades para ción fuera de la Ciudad de familia se mudó en su apar- de tres o más unidades, los Ciudad de Nueva York
hacer a los caseros rendir Nueva York rechazarían tamento en Albany, en propietarios tienen que (New York City Coalition
cuentas cuando sus hijos tales casos a menos que el 1994. Los Chapman están revisar cualquier aparta- to End Lead Poisoning).
padezcan envenenamien- inquilino hubiera dado al demandando $10 millones mento donde viva un niño En un mensaje de co-
to por ingestión de plomo. casero un aviso formal de a su casero, Dennis Silber. menor de seis años. rreo electrónico enviado
En su fallo, la corte escri- la existencia de pintura de En la Ciudad de Nueva Ya que el fallo se aplica a después del fallo,
bió que se puede mandar plomo en su apartamento. York, donde se estima que los edificios de todos tama- Chachere señaló que el
los pleitos a un jurado si el “Fue una victoria impor- más de 35,000 niños meno- ños, quizás los inquilinos tribunal de primera ins-
dueño de la propiedad sa- tante para los niños de res de 6 años tienen nive- en casas de una o dos fami-
pasa a la página 4
Los Ajustes de la “ York
Junta de Regulación de Renta” de la Ciudad de Nueva York
(Orden No. 32)
Para los contratos de apartamentos de Renta Estabilizada que comienzan el 1ro. de octubre de 2001 hasta el 30 de septiem-
bre de 2002, incluyendo las concesiones de Pataki adoptadas por la Legislatura Estatal el 19 de junio de 1997
Los topes de renta que apa- del historial de renta de sus renta controlada y se alquila dominios no se vuelven de desván son de un 3 por cien-
recen en el cuadro son los incre- apartamentos, para cobrar un con renta estabilizada. La Junta estabilizados y no satisfacen los to por un contrato de un año y un
mentos máximos que los alquiler ilegal. Una vez que el de Regulación de Renta (RGB) requisitos para la Apelación de la 5 por ciento por un contrato de
dueños de edificios pueden co- inquilino haya tomado posesión establece anualmente lo que Renta Justa de Mercado. dos años. No se permiten in-
brar legalmente por los aparta- del apartamento, puede esco- ellos llaman el “Tope Especial de Exención de Incrementos crementos para las unidades
mentos de renta estabilizada en ger entre llenar un formulario de la Renta de Mercado Justa,” el para las Personas de Mayor de desván vacías.
la ciudad de Nueva York. Son queja de sobrecargo de renta cual es empleado por la DHCR Edad: Las personas de 62 años Hoteles y Apartamentos de
válidos para todos los contratos con la oficina de la División de para bajar las rentas de merca- o más que viven en apartamen- una Sola Habitación Lo estable-
que comienzan dentro del perío- Vivienda y Renovación Comunal do injustas de los inquilinos que tos estabilizados y cuyos ingre- cido es un 2% para los aparta-
do de doce meses a partir del (DHCR), o disputar la cantidad llenan el formulario llamado sos familiares anuales son de mentos de hotel de Clase A,
1ro. de octubre de 2001. Los in- de la renta en la corte de vivien- “Apelación a la Renta Justa de $20,000 o menos, y que pagan casas de habitaciones, hoteles
crementos de alquiler basados da de la ciudad para que se de- Mercado” (FMRA). Según la Or- (o enfrentan un incremento de de clase B (de 30 habitaciones o
en las pautas para la renovación termine cuál es el alquiler legal. den 32, es la Renta de Mercado alquiler que los forzaría a pagar) más), hoteles de una sola habi-
del contrato de 1 o 2 años pue- Si un posible inquilino da Justa de HUD o un 150% sobre una renta de un tercio o más de tación, y las casas de habitacio-
den cobrarse solamente una vez muestras de conocer sus dere- la renta base máxima. Ningún sus ingresos, pueden tener dere- nes (Clase B, 6-29 cuartos),
durante el período cubierto por chos, lo más probable es que el inquilino de un apartamento de cho al programa de Exención de sobre la renta legal que se paga-
dichas pautas, y deben ser apli- casero no firmará ningún contra- renta estabilizada que fue Incrementos para las Personas ba el 30 de septiembre de 2001.
cados a la renta legal estabi- to con tal inquilino. Los caseros descontrolado el 1ro de abril de de Mayor Edad (SCRIE, por sus No se permiten incrementos
lizada para el 30 de septiembre evitan contratar con inquilinos 1984 o después debe dejar de siglas en inglés), si aplican al para apartamentos vacíos. Lo
de 2000. Las cantidades que que les pueden dar problemas. poner a prueba la llamada “Ren- Departamento de la Ciudad de incremento estipulado no se
aparecen en el cuadro y los in- El sobrecargo de alquiler es ta Legal Inicial Regulada” (renta Nueva York Sobre las Personas puede cobrar a menos que un 70
crementos para los aparta- muy común. Todos los inquili- de mercado) que los caseros de Mayor Edad, cuya dirección por ciento de las unidades en el
mentos vacíos no se aplican a nos deben luchar contra posi- cobran cuando hay descontrol es: SCRIE Unit, 2 Lafayette edificio sean ocupadas por in-
los apartamentos que estaban bles sobrecargos. Obtenga y del apartamento. Use el formu- Street, NY, NY 10007. Si el alqui- quilinos permanentes de renta
sujetos a renta controlada en llene un formulario Form RA-89 lario de DHCR Form RA-89. Indi- ler actual de un inquilino que tie- estabilizada o controlada, pa-
aquella fecha. No se permite el con la oficina de DHCR para que claramente que su queja es ne derecho a este programa gando rentas reguladas legales.
cargo adicional también cono- determinar el alquiler correcto tanto una queja de “Apelación a sobrepasa un tercio del ingreso, Además, no se permiten incre-
cido como el «impuesto de po- en los archivos oficiales. Llame la Renta Justa de Mercado” no se lo puede reducir, pero es mentos si el casero ha omitido de
bres.» a la DHCR a (718) 739-6400 como de “sobrecargo.” La corte posible evitar incrementos de darle al nuevo ocupante una
Los Contratos para Aparta- para obtener un formulario. de vivienda no puede tomar de- alquiler en el futuro. Obtenga el copia de los Derechos y Respon-
mentos Vacíos o Nuevos En ju-
Vacíos La Apelación de la Renta de cisión sobre una Apelación de formulario de SCRIE por llamar al sabilidades de los Dueños e In-
nio de 1997, el gobernador Mercado Justa Otro tipo de so- Renta de Mercado. Apartamentos (212) 442-1000. quilinos de Hoteles.
George Pataki, al intentar des- brecargo ocurre frecuentemente vacíos que antes estaban contro- Unidades de Desván (Lofts) La Desregulación de Ren-
truir la regulación de rentas, cuando se vacía un apartamento lados en edificios que se han Los incrementos legales sobre tas Altas y Altos Ingresos (1)
forzó cambios que les dieron a que previamente estaba sujeto a convertido en cooperativas o con- la renta base para las unidades Los apartamentos que legal-
los caseros una sobrepaga mente se alquilan por $2,000 o
muy grande por los aparta- Tipo de Contrato Renta Legal Actual
Legal Contrato de 1 Año Contrato de 2 Años más por mes y que se desocu-
mentos vacíos. Una cláusula paron entre el 7 de julio de
de la “Reforma al Acta de Regu- Más de $500 4% 6% 1993 y el 1ro. de octubre de
lación de Renta” de 1997 per- Renovación
$500 o menos 1993, o en o desde del 1ro de
mite que los nuevos alquileres del Contrato (Alquileres de $215 o menos se alzan a 4% 6% abril de 1994 son sujetos a la
sean incrementados en un por- $215 después de aplicarse los aumentos) desregulación. (2) La misma
centaje obligatorio: 20% para Incrementos por desregulación se les aplica,
un contrato de dos años, y por desocupacíon cobrados 18% 20% para el mismo período estable-
un contrato de 1 año, 20% de in- Más de en los últimos 8 años cido en (1), a los apartamentos
cremento menos la diferencia $500 Incrementos por 0.6% por el número de años 0.6% por el número de años que legalmente pagan $2,000
en el tope de renovación para desocupacíon no cobrados desde el último incremento por desde el último incremento por o más mensualmente aunque
los contratos de 1 y 2 años. La en los últimos 8 años estar vacío, más el 18% estar vacío, más el 20% no se desocupen, si el ingreso
nueva ley permite también in- Incrementos por total de la familia es más de
Contratos 18% + $100 20% + $100
crementos adicionales para Menos de desocupacíon cobrados $175,000 en los dos años con-
los apartamentos vacíos don- para en los últimos 8 años secutivos previos. Para cum-
$300
de no se habían cobrado incre- Aparta- plir los requisitos de esta
Incrementos por 0.6% por el número de años 0.6% por el número de años
mentos por desocupación por mentos segunda forma de desregula-
desocupacíon no cobrados en desde el último incremento por desde el último incremento
ocho años o más. Vacíos los últimos 8 años estar vacío, + 18% + $100 por estar vacío, + 20% + $100 ción, el casero tiene que en-
Sobrecargos de Renta Los Incrementos por viarle un formulario de cer-
18% o $100, 20% o $100,
inquilinos deben estar al tanto Renta desocupacíon cobrados tificación de ingreso al inquili-
lo que sea mayor lo que sea mayor
de que muchos caseros van a de $300 a en los últimos 8 años no entre el 1ro de enero y el 1ro
aprovecharse de la complejidad $500
0.6% por el número de años 0.6% por el número de años de mayo, así como someter
Incrementos por
de estas regulaciones y sub- desocupacíon no cobrados desde el último incremento por desde el último incremento por dicho formulario al DHCR y
venciones, así como del poco en los últimos 8 años estar vacío, mas 18%, estar vacío, mas 20%, conseguir su aprobación.
conocimiento de los inquilinos o $100, lo que sea mayor o $100, lo que sea mayor
4 December 2001 — TENANT/INQUILINO
Plomo
viene de la página 3
tancia había fallado que no se des. Hasta ahora, Hayden dijo, los esto constituye una carga dema- actualmente.
podía hacer responsables a los caseros “no sabían lo que tenían siado pesada para los padres. El
caseros por no tener conocimien- que hacer ni a quién tenían que otoño pasado, el juez Louis York Reimpreso con autorización de
to “real” de los riesgos de pintura contratar.” consideró que la ley era nula, un City Limits Weekly.
de plomo, aun cuando los caseros Danziger dijo que él espera que fallo que la ciudad está apelando
sabían que la mayoría de los edifi- el fallo aclare a sus propios clien-
cios en al área de casi el mismo tes lo que pueden hacer. “Si los
edad tenían pintura de plomo, que padres no investigan, los niños no
la pintura de plomo constituye un van a recibir nada,” dijo el aboga-
peligro para los niños pequeños, do con oficina en Albany. Danziger
que vivían niños pequeños en la tiene 100 casos de plomo pendien-
vivienda y que había pintura dete- te en todo el estado y ha ganado
riorada o desprendiéndose en el hasta $4 millones en indemniza-
lugar. Ese fallo y otros similares, ciones para algunos clientes.
escribió, “instigaron a los caseros Mientras tanto, los partidarios
a no saber nada sobre los peligros de los padres están esperando otro
de pintura en las propiedades fallo de la corte que esperan hará
arrendadas donde vivían niños aun más responsables a los caseros
pequeños, porque si saben, tienen en casos de envenenamiento por
que hacer algo.” ingestión de plomo en los inquili-
Hasta el abogado de Silber admi- nos jóvenes. Una reforma a la ley
te que el fallo no fue totalmente aprobada por el Concejo Municipal Partidarios de Charas, centro de artes comunitario amenazado con
malo. A pesar de sentirse decepcio- en 1999, llamada Ley Local 38, el desalojo, celebraron una vigilia frente de la alcaldía el 3 de
requiere que los padres informen diciembre, con esperanzas de obtener un indulto de última hora.
nado y preocupado por los gastos Una orden judicial aplazando el desalojo vence el 12 de
potenciales de los caseros, Derek explícitamente al casero, dentro diciembre y Charas cree que el dueño, Gregg Singer, demandará
Hayden dijo que al menos las nue- de un mes después que mudarse, que el desalojo se efectúe el día siguiente. Charas ganó un fallo
vas pautas darán a sus clientes una que un niño vive en el apartamen- de jurado en contra de la entrega del edificio a Singer, quien lo
mejor idea de sus responsabilida- to. Chachere y otros dicen que había comprado a la ciudad por $3.1 millones en una subasta
pública en 1998, pero el fallo fue rechazado al apelarse.
No se quede Sección 8: ¿Bastará?
helado: La ciudad de Nueva York está recu- Sección 8 limitada a 1,850 (la Au-
rriendo a su reserva de vales toridad de Vivienda tiene alrededor
¡ORGANIZESE! (vouchers) federales de vivienda de otros 76,000), algunos partida-
de una manera sin precedente rios de vivienda accesible se están
para ayudar a las familias afectadas preguntando qué impacto tendrá
por los ataques al Centro Mundial el nuevo programa para los demás
La ley requiere que su casero participación de todos los inquilinos de Comercio. 210,000 neoyorquinos en la lista de
porciona
pro porcion a calefacción y agua en su edificio que pueden firmarlo. El Departamento de Preserva- espera para obtener vales.
caliente a las temperaturas Reclame una orden para restaurar la ción y Desarrollo de Vivienda
siguientes, desde el 1ro de
“Si queremos resolver el proble-
calefacción y el agua caliente, y que
octubre hasta el 31 de mayo: se reduzcan y congelen (¡disculpe lo (HPD, por sus siglas en inglés) ma, necesitamos más apoyo de
Desde las 6 a.m. hasta las 10 p.m.: Si la de “congelen”!) todas las rentas. proyecta otorgar hasta 1,000 vales Washington para la Sección 8,”
temperatura afuera es de menos de 55 k Necesitarán una fuerte asociación de
de Sección 8 antes del 1 de abril dijo Shelly Nortz, directora adjun-
grados, la temperatura dentro debe ser inquilinos para obligar al casero a para ayudar a las familias que han ta de política de la Coalición para
al menos de 68 grados en todo el proporcionar la calefacción y el agua experimentado una pérdida de un los Sin Techo de Nueva York (New
apartamento. caliente. Escriban y llamen al casero 25 por ciento o más en sus ingre- York Coalition for the Homeless).
Desde las 10 p.m. hasta las 6 a.m.: Si la para demandar las reparaciones y
aceite. Prepárense para una huelga
sos como resultado de los eventos “Sé que 1,000 personas se bene-
temperatura afuera es de menos de 40
grados, la temperatura dentro debe ser de renta (sobre todo con asesoría del 11 de septiembre. Según Carol ficiarán por estos vales, pero detrás
al menos de 55 grados en todo el legal)—de relámpago si es necesa- Abrams, vocera del HPD, los vales de cada una de ellas, hay 10 más
apartamento. rio. están para ayudar a las familias a formadas.”
Se tiene que proporcionar agua caliente Las leyes sobre la calefacción mantenerse en sus hogares. Abrams dijo que la ciudad propo-
a un mínimo de 120 grados en el grifo establecen también: Típicamente, los certificados ne pedir más fondos para vales del
las 24 horas del día, todo el año.
k Que el Departamento de Reparacio- Sección 8 se destinan a ayudar a Departamento de Vivienda y Desa-
Si su casero no mantiene estas nes de Emergencia de la ciudad le las personas que ganan menos de
temperaturas mínimas, usted
rrollo Urbano Federal (HUD, por
proporcione la calefacción si el
debe: casero no lo hace. (No se siente en un la mitad del ingreso familiar me- sus siglas en inglés). El mes pasa-
bloque de hielo—otra vez, ¡discul- diano de la ciudad ($59,000), para do, HUD dio a la ciudad $5 millo-
k Comenzar una “Acción HP” (HP
Action) en la Corte de Vivienda. Pida
pe!—mientras espere que lo haga.) conseguir una vivienda accesible nes para gastos de socorro como
una inspección por orden de la corte k Una multa de $250 al casero por cada a sus bolsillos. Los criterios nuevos la reparación de sus oficinas y pago
y una Orden de Corrección (Order día que se produzca la violación. para víctimas del Centro Mundial de tiempo extra, pero ni un cen-
to Correct) (Pero la verdad es que la Corte de de Comercio ayudarán a pagar la tavo de esa suma fue destinado a
Vivienda raras veces impone las
k Llamar al Buro Central de Quejas
multas, y mucho menos las cobra).
vivienda para las familias que han los vales.
(Central Control Bureau) de la perdido a un ser querido o un tra- — Mark Greer
ciudad de Nueva York al (212) 824- k Una multa de $1,000 al casero si
4328 inmediatamente, para algún aparato de control automático
bajo. Hasta la fecha del 5 de no- Traducido por
documentar la violación del casero. se instala en la caldera para viembre, la agencia había recibido Lightning Translations
Llame repetidamente. Se supone que mantener la temperatura por debajo 431 peticiones para vales, de fami-
un inspector vendrá eventualmente, del mínimo legal. lias en toda la ciudad. Reimpreso con autorización de
aunque a veces no lo haga.
k Si el tanque de combustible de la Con la reserva de HPD de vales City Limits Weekly.
k Exhortar a los otros inquilinos en el caldera está vacío, los inquilinos
edificio a llamar al Central tienen el derecho de comprar su
Complaint. Todos deben llamar propio combustible después de haber
repetidamente, al menos una vez al
día, todos los días en que tenga
problemas con la calefacción.
pasado 24 horas sin calefacción y
también sin obtener ninguna
respuesta del casero. Esto no se aplica
Tenants’ Rights
si la caldera está rota y necesita tanto
k Comprar un buen termómetro para
reparación como combustible. Every Wednesday 6 to 7:30 p.m.
afuera y adentro, para documentar
las fechas exactas, las horas, y las ¡Cuidado! ¡proteja su dinero! Si los
Village Independent Democrats
temperaturas, tanto afuera como inquilinos deciden comprar el 26 Perry Street (basement)
adentro, mientras tenga problemas combustible, hay que seguir los 212-741-2994
con la calefacción. Esta documenta- procedimientos legales cuidado-
ción es su evidencia samente. Consiga la ayuda y el
k Llamar a la División de Vivienda y consejo de un organizador de
Renovación Comunal del Estado de inquilinos. La existencia de leyes de
Nueva York (DHCR, por sus siglas en calefacción y agua caliente vigentes
ingles) al (718) 739-6400, y pedir no garantiza que el gobierno las
que le envíen el formulario de Queja implemente. No se quede helado
de Calefacción y Agua Caliente. por esperar que la ciudad o el
Llene el formulario y consigue la estado actúe. ¡Organízese!
December 2001 — TENANT/INQUILINO 5
IN MEMORIAM: JULIE LOBBIA
By John Fisher
On Thanksgiving week- Renewal, Peter Vallone’s • Cooper Union Sets a deep as necessary, and she her would readily recog-
end, we heard the upset- efforts to decontrol rent- Tall Order for Redevelop- was able to connect the nize in Julie. While I knew
ting news that Julie regulated apartments and ment dots. She investigated her only on a professional
Lobbia, the Village Voice his efforts to ram a land- “She will be sorely while much of today’s re- level, I understand she had
columnist for “Towers and lord-written lead-paint bill missed,” says Marcia porters just fill up space. a large family and many
Tenements,” passed away through the City Council. Lemmon, a Lower East She thought, and then friends, to whom we offer
Nov. 22 after a bout with Just perusing some of her Side activist. “When she she wrote. our sympathy.
cancer. Under the pen recent columns shows a wrote on a subject, she Since August, Julie While not a tenant or
name “J.A. Lobbia,” Julie’s wide-ranging gamut of is- really got to the core of hadn’t been in her office, community activist, we
writings focused on the sues she covered: the matter. Then there and it was only a few weeks still consider Julie Lobbia
problems tenants and • Green Leads in Real was her non-business side. ago that I caught her one of our own, and her
neighborhoods face in New Estate Green She was as likable a person there for a few minutes. passing hurts.
York City. We often re- • Why Has a Convicted as you’ll ever meet; pleas- Even in the face of her
printed her column in the Brooklyn Landlord Been ant and of good humor. We affliction, she seemed A version of this article
Tenant.net Web newslet- Let Off Easy? don’t have many journal- upbeat and optimistic, originally appeared on
ter—her reporting being • Is an East Harlem ists like her, God knows we traits I think all who knew www.tenant.net.
the only regular column in Courthouse a Help or a need them.”
Don’t
mainstream New York me- Hindrance? In a world where much
dia covering tenant and • Landlord Rep Tried to of the media reporting
overdevelopment issues. Keep Public Info Private openly reflects the values
She exposed distasteful
landlords, developers,
• A Case Study in Dis-
placement on Elizabeth
and interests of the corpo-
rate culture that owns it, Freeze–
Organize!
hack politicians and their Street Julie Lobbia stood out.
supporters. She wrote • Check Out a Landlord She covered issues that
about the shenanigans at Before You Sign a Lease none of the other papers
the Rent Guidelines • Why Is a Planning Com- would touch, and she used
Board, the Division of missioner Hawking the her time and resources to
Housing and Community Olympics? understand the issues, as
The law requires your possible in your building
Section 8: Enough? landlord provide heat and
hot water at the following
to sign on, demanding
an order restoring heat
By Mark Greer levels from October 1 and hot water, and a
through May 31: reduction and freeze
New York City is dipping Abrams. voucher pool limited to (pardon the expression!)
From 6 am to 10 pm: If the
into its pool of federal Typically, Section 8 cer- 1,850—the Housing Au- outside temperature falls
in all the rents.
housing vouchers at his- tificates go toward help- thority has about another below 55 degrees, the inside You’ll need a strong tenant
toric levels to help fami- ing people who earn less 76,000—some housing temperature must be at least association to force the
lies affected by the World than half the city’s me- advocates wonder how this 68 degrees everywhere in landlord to provide heat and
Trade Center attacks. dian family income— new program might affect your apartment. hot water. Write and call the
landlord and demand
The city Department of $59,000—to find afford- the 210,000 other New From 10 pm to 6 am: If the repairs or fuel.
Housing Preservation and able housing. The new eli- Yorkers on the wait list for outside temperature falls
Development plans to gibility criteria for Trade vouchers. below 40 degrees, the inside Prepare to go on rent
temperature must be at least strike — but get legal advice
give out up to 1,000 Sec- Center victims will help “We need more Section 55 degrees everywhere in first.
tion 8 vouchers by April 1 families who’ve lost a job 8 support out of Washing- your apartment.
to help families who’ve or loved one pay for their ton if we want to solve the The heat laws also provide
Hot water at a minimum 120 for:
suffered a 25% or larger housing. As of November problem,” said Shelly degrees at the tap must be
drop in income as a result 5, the agency had re- Nortz, deputy director for provided 24 hours a day, k The city’s Emergency
of the events of Septem- ceived 431 applications policy at the New York year round. Repair Department to
supply your heat if the
ber 11. These coupons are for the vouchers from Coalition for the Home- If your landlord does not landlord does not. (Try
meant to help families households around the less. “I know 1,000 people maintain those minimum waiting for this one!)
stay in their homes, said city. will benefit from these temperatures, you should:
k A $250 a day fine to the
HPD spokesperson Carol With HPD’s Section 8 vouchers, but for every k Start an “HP action” in landlord for every day of
one who does, there’s 10 Housing Court. Ask for a violation. (But the
behind them in line.” court-ordered inspection Housing Court rarely
Abrams said the city and an Order to Correct. imposes these fines, let
Post WTC Information plans to appeal to the fed- k Call the New York City
alone collects them.)
eral Department of Hous- Central Complaints k A $1,000 fine to the
LEGAL AID/LEGAL SERVICES (Sept. 11th Fund): (800) 621-
The central phone for the Legal 4673; NY Times Neediest Case
ing and Urban Devel- Bureau at (212) 824- landlord if an automatic
opment for additional 4328 immediately to control device is put on the
Aid Society at 90 Church Street Fund via Community Service record the landlord’s boiler to keep the tempera-
is still out. For referral to the Society: (212) 614-5566 voucher funds. Last violation. Call repeatedly. ture below the lawful
Legal Aid or Legal Services ser- month, HUD gave the city An inspector should minimum.
vicing your neighborhood, call BIAS ATTACKS/ANTI-WAR $5 million for relief costs eventually come, al-
If your boiler’s fuel tank is
the central phone number for U.S. Commission on Civil like agency office repairs though sometimes they
empty, tenants have the right
Legal Services of New York Rights: (800) 552-6843; Asian and overtime pay, but don’t.
to buy their own fuel after
(LSNY) at (212) 431-7200. . American Legal Defense and none of that went toward k Get other tenants in your 24 hours of no heat and no
Education Fund: (212) 760- vouchers. building to call Central response from the landlord.
RENT GRANTS 9110; Arab American Family Complaint. Everybody But this provision does not
(For anyone needing rental as- Center: (718) 643-8000; War should call repeatedly, at apply if the boiler is broken
Reprinted with permis- least once every day the and needs both repairs and
sistance due to the loss of a Resisters League: (212) 228-
loved one who worked, or job 0450, www.warresisters.org;
sion from City Limits condition is not corrected. fuel.
loss related to 9/11.) FEMA: NYC Antiwar Activities Weekly.
k Buy a good indoor/ Caution! Protect your
(800) 462-9029; American Hotline: (212) 726-3272, outdoor thermometer and money! If you decide to buy
Red Cross: (212) 219-6200, www.nynotinourname.org. keep a chart of the exact fuel, you must follow special
(877) 746-4987; Safe Horizons dates, times, and tem- lawful procedures very
perature readings, inside carefully. You should get
and out, so long as the help and advice from a
condition is not corrected. tenant organizer.
The chart is your evidence.
Because the heat and hot
k Call the New York State water laws are in the law
Division of Housing and books does not mean they
Community Renewal at are enforced by government.
(718) 739-6400 and ask Don’t freeze to death waiting
them to send you their for the city or state to act.
Heat and Hot Water Organize!
complaint form. Get as
many other apartments as
6 December 2001 — TENANT/INQUILINO
State Court Paints New Face On Lead Poisoning Cases
By Jill Grossman
Tenants in one- and two- from eating lead paint Poisoning. property owners, Derek that they hope will make
family homes in New York soon after the family In an e-mail sent out af- Hayden said at least the landlords even more liable
City now have a better moved into its Albany ter the ruling, Chachere new guidelines will give his for lead poisoning in young
chance of holding their apartment in 1994. The noted that the lower court clients a better idea of tenants. An amendment to
landlords accountable Chapmans are suing their had ruled that the land- what they are responsible the law passed by the City
when their children suffer landlord, Dennis Silber, for lords could not be respon- for. As things stood up to Council in 1999, called
from lead poisoning, about $10 million. sible for the lead poisoning now, said Hayden, land- Local Law 38, requires that
thanks to a case decided In New York City, where of the child because they lords “didn’t know what parents explicitly inform
Nov. 15 by the New York it is estimated that more did not have “actual” they had to do or who they the building owner within
State Court of Appeals. than 35,000 children un- knowledge of lead-paint had to hire.” a month after moving in
In its decision, the court der 6 have dangerous lev- hazards, even though the Danziger said he hopes that a child is living in the
wrote that lawsuits may be els of lead in their blood, a landlords knew most build- the decision makes it clear apartment. Chachere and
sent to a jury if the prop- law that has been on the ings of similar age in the to his own clients what they others say this places too
erty owner knew his build- books since 1982 already area had lead paint, of its can do. “If parents don’t much burden on the par-
ing was constructed before holds landlords of bigger hazards to children, that investigate, children will ents. Last fall, Judge Louis
1960, was aware that paint buildings to these higher there were young children get nothing,” said the Al- York of the state Supreme
was peeling, and knew his standards. In buildings living in the dwellings, and bany-based attorney, who Court deemed the law null
tenants had young chil- built before 1960 with that there was peeling or has 100 lead cases pending and void, a decision the city
dren. Until now, appellate three or more units, prop- deteriorated paint in the around the state is currently appealing.
courts outside of New York erty owners must inspect premises. That and similar Meanwhile, parent advo- Reprinted with permis-
City would throw out such any apartment housing a court decisions, he wrote, cates in New York City sion from City Limits
a case unless a tenant had child under age six. “encouraged landlords not await another court ruling Weekly.
given a landlord formal Since the ruling applies to know about lead paint
notice that lead paint ex- to buildings of all sizes, hazards in leased property Attention All On-line!
isted in his apartment. tenants in one- and two- housing small children—
“This was a major victory family homes may finally because if they know, they If you have an e-mail address, join the
for children throughout be able to get their days in will have to act.” “A
Met Council “A CTIVE! list.” We’ll send you alerts
New York State,” said Peter court. “This changes the Even Silber’s attorney about demonstrations, hearings and other activities.
Danziger, attorney for dynamic quite a lot,” said admits the ruling was not Simply send us a message,
James and Sallie Chap- Matthew Chachere, an at- all bad. While disappointed subject heading “subscribe”, to:
man, whose one-year-old torney with the New York and concerned that things
son, Jaquan, was poisoned City Coalition to End Lead could get expensive for active@metcouncil.net
NYC Rent Guidelines Board Adjustments (Order No. 32)
for Rent Stabilized Leases commencing Oct. 1, 2001 through Sept. 30, 2002, including
the Pataki vacancy bonuses adopted by the State Legislature on June 19, 1997
This rent guidelines table percent for two years. No va-
shows the maximum increases Lease Type
Type Legal Rent
Current Legal Rent One-year Lease Two-year Lease
Lease
cancy allowance is permitted
landlords in New York City can more than $500 4% 6% on vacant lofts.
legally charge for rent stabilized Renewal $500 or less Hotels and SROs
apartments on all leases com- Leases 4% 6%
(Rents that are $215 or less brought up
mencing in the twelve-month pe- The guideline is 2 percent
to $215 after increases applied)
riod beginning October 1, 2001. above the legal rent paid on
Increases in rent based on the Vacancy allowance charged September 30, 2001, for Class
18% 20%
within last 8 years
1- or 2-year renewal guidelines More A apartment hotels, lodging
can be charged only once during than No vacancy allowance 0.6% times number of years 0.6% times number of years houses, Class B hotels (30
the period covered by the guide- $500 charged within last 8 years since last vacancy since last vacancy rooms or more), single room
lines, and must be applied to the allowance, plus 18% allowance, plus 20% occupancy (SROs) hotels, and
legal stabilized rent on Septem- rooming houses (Class B, 6-29
Vacancy allowance charged rooms) . No vacancy allowance
ber 30, 2001. The above guide- Vacancy 18% plus $100 20% plus $100
Less than within last 8 years
lines and vacancy bonuses do leases $300
is permitted. The guideline is
not apply to an apartment which No vacancy allowance
0.6% times number of years 0.6% times number of years not collectible unless 70% or
was rent controlled on that date. charged within last 8 years
since last vacancy allow–ance, since last vacancy allow–ance, more of the units in the building
plus 18% plus $100 plus 20% plus $100 are occupied by permanent
There is no low rent supple-
ment, aka poor tax, allowed. rent stabilized or controlled
Rent Vacancy allowance charged 18% or $100, 20% or $100, tenants paying legal regulated
Sublease Allowance $300 to within last 8 years whichever is greater whichever is greater rents. Further, no increase is al-
Landlords can charge a 10 per- $500 lowed when the landlord has
0.6% times number of years 0.6% times number of years
cent increase during the term of No vacancy allowance failed to provide the new occu-
since last vacancy allowance, since last vacancy allowance,
a sublease that commences charged within last 8 years
plus 18%, or $100, plus 20%, or $100, pant a copy of the Rights and
during this guideline period. whichever is greater whichever is greater Duties of Hotel Owners and
Tenants.
Vacancy Leases
In June 1997, Governor George complaint with the Division of “Special Fair Market Rent Senior Citizen Rent High-rent, High-income
Pataki, as a part of his efforts to Housing and Community Re- Guideline” that is used by DHCR Increase Exemption Deregulation
destroy rent regulation, forced newal or challenging the rent in to lower unfair market rents for Rent stabilized seniors, 62 (1) Apartments legally renting
changes that gave landlords Housing Court to get a determi- tenants who file the Fair Market years or older, whose dispos- for $2,000 or more a month that
large vacancy bonuses. Provi- nation of the legal rent. Rent Appeal (FMRA). Under Or- able annual household income became vacant from July 7,
sions of his Rent Regulation Re- A prospective tenant who ex- der 32, it is HUD Fair Market is $20,000 or less and who pay 1993 through October 1, 1993,
form Act of 1997 allow the rents presses knowledge of their Rent or 150% above the maxi- (or face a rent increase that or on April 1, 1994 and thereaf-
of apartments to rise by a statu- rights will probably not be given a mum base rent. No stabilized would cause them to pay) ter are subject to deregulation.
tory percentage: 20 percent for a lease to sign. Landlords avoid tenant of an apartment that was one-third or more of that in- (2) The same deregulation ap-
2-year lease, and 20 percent mi- renting to tenants who may be decontrolled on or after April 1, come in rent may be eligible for plies in the time periods set
nus the difference between the 1- troublesome. Overcharging is 1984 should fail to challenge the a Senior Citizen Rent Increase forth in (1) above to apartments
and 2-year renewal guidelines for very common. Every tenant so-called Initial Legal Regulated Exemption (SCRIE) if they apply legally renting for $2,000 or
1-year leases. The new law also should challenge possible over- Rent (market rent) that land- to the NYC Dept of the Aging, more a month without their be-
allows additional vacancy in- charge. With DHCR, obtain and lords charge upon decontrol. SCRIE Unit at 2 Lafayette coming vacant if the total
creases for apartments which fill out Form RA-89 to determine Use DHCR Form RA-89. Indi- Street, NY, NY 10007. If an oth- household income exceeds
have had no vacancy allowance the correct rent from official cate clearly that your complaint erwise eligible tenant’s current $175,000 in each of the prior
in eight or more years. records. Call DHCR at (718) is both a complaint of “over- rent level is already above two consecutive years. To be
739-6400 to obtain the form. charge” and “Fair Market Rent one-third of income, it cannot eligible for this second form of
Rent Overcharges Appeal.” The Housing Court be rolled back, but future rent deregulation, the landlord must
Tenants should be aware that Fair Market Rent Appeal cannot determine a Fair Market increases may be avoided. Ob- send an income certification
many landlords will exploit the Another type of overcharge fre- Rent Appeal. Formerly con- tain the SCRIE application form form to the tenant between
complexities of these guidelines quently occurs at the time that a trolled vacant apartments in by calling (212) 442-1000. January 1 and May 1 and file it
and bonuses, and the tenant’s previously rent controlled apart- buildings converted to co-ops or with and get the approval of
unfamiliarity with the apartment’s ment becomes vacant and is condos do not become stabi- Loft Units DHCR.
rent history, to charge an illegal re-rented as a stabilized unit. lized and are not eligible for a Fair Legalized loft unit increases
rent. The tenant can choose The Rent Guidelines Board an- Market Rent Appeal. above the base rent are 1 per-
between filing an overcharge nually sets what they call the cent for a one-year lease and 2
7 December 2001 — TENANT/INQUILINO
My New York Apartment-Rental Story
By Judith Rubenstein
I came to New York in January ing falling on his litter box when
1996, back to my hometown, the he was using it, and no one would
place where I had been born into
a low-equity co-op building, lived
at home while I went to City Col-
visit me.
So I started looking for other
roommate situations. I hustled. I
Charas Vigil
lege, rented two different $100 a had ads in Loot and the Villager. I
month Upper West Side apart- talked up my search to everyone
ments during my six years out of I met, and I put ads on the bulle-
college. After living upstate for 20 tin boards of day-care centers of-
years, I was sharing the $600 fering to do childcare in return
Greenwich Village apartment of a for rent. I paid $90 each to two on-
man with whom I’d fallen in love. line roommate services, but got
When the love affair faltered nothing. I was limiting my search
that spring, and I contemplated to a bedroom of my own for $800
moving out, my lover laughed, or less, on the Lower East Side.
“You can’t find an apartment.” They told me that was “too re-
“I have apartment karma,” I strictive.”
replied, thinking of my past. Answering ads in the Village
I don’t. What I have now, how- Voice at least got me interviews.
ever, is personal knowledge of the One on Fifth Street was a studio
city’s apartment market. divided by beaded curtains into
In 1996, I was looking in lower two 6’ square bedrooms and a liv-
STEVE WISHNIA
Manhattan. Not knowing my way ing-kitchen area. One on Avenue
around, I went to a real-estate bro- B was shared by a few hundred
ker, told him my whole story. With cockroaches. “I’ll wash my dishes
hindsight, I know I lucked out. At and do my share of cleaning if you
the time, I took this for granted— push me,” promised my potential Supporters of Charas, the Lower East Side community arts center
he liked my middle-aged depend- roommate. At another, it was clear facing eviction, held a candlelight vigil at City Hall Dec. 3, hoping to
win a last-minute reprieve. A court order staying the eviction expires
ability. Although I was existing on I was being hired as a live-in thera- Dec. 12, and Charas expects landlord Gregg Singer to move for an
odd jobs, and I told him that I’d be pist for my future crazy room- eviction the next day. Charas had won a jury decision against turning
using my credit cards to pay the mate. the building over to Singer, who bought it from the city at a public
rent, he convinced the landlord to I was getting depressed. I’d auction in 1998 for $3.1 million, but it was overturned on appeal. For
let me pay four months’ rent in reached the point at which when more information, call (212) 982-9446 or go to www.charas.org.
advance for a $1,000 studio on I visited friends or acquaintances
10th Street between First and in clean, roomy rent-stabilized
Second avenues. It was a new apartments on the Lower East was filled with racial tension. My housing friends were telling
building, not rent stabilized. The Side, I’d burst out crying. It was I stayed a year. Few people visited me landlords preferred young
tenants were recent ex-college embarrassing. After six months, me. At this point, I used the fact people who would leave in a year,
students who rotated regularly. I when the fifth chunk of the ceil- that my family finally believed I allowing them to raise the rent
paid my rent on time, maxing out ing fell on the cat, I grabbed at an was staying in the city, and was 20%. One landlord admitted to the
two credit cards. I was having ad in the New York Times for an delighted about it, to ask for finan- realtor that he preferred some-
nightmares about money. $850 rent-stabilized apartment on cial help. They agreed to subsidize one who could pay the rent him-
115th Street in East Harlem. my rent on a studio in the Lower self.
Roommate Search It could be temporary if I didn’t East Side. I was at my wit’s end, and my
I looked to be someone’s room- like it, it was accessible by buses lease was up at 115th Street. I
mate. I was now working as a hous- and trains, it was large and suffused Going Back Downtown then remembered Mike, the real
ing advocate, and people I knew with light, it was in a renovated With no time to find no-fee estate agent who had, against
talked about nothing but hous- building with tenants researched apartments on my own, I hunted worse odds—i.e., my having no
ing. I had changed from a mild out- as to their working status and sta- through agencies. I figured I was job—found me my first Lower
of-towner into an aggressive New bility, and my friends promised to a desirable tenant. By now I was East Side apartment. I went to
Yorker. I remember standing on visit. earning $33,000 and had been see. He confirmed my worst fears,
East Fourth Street, chatting with What I learned, which, in a working steadily in the same field that no landlord would take me if
one of the tenants I worked with, Pollyanna-ish mood, can be con- for three years, I had a perfect they could find someone who
when two sweet 20-somethings strued as worth the experience: rent-paying record with two differ- didn’t need a guarantor. And I
stopped and asked us if they knew Mexican immigrants, who domi- ent landlords and a guarantor with would need one until I earned 40
of any available apartments. John nate the streets of East Harlem an income of $100,000, I looked times the monthly rent, or ap-
started in, “My girlfriend is look- right now, are ambitious, hard- like a quiet sedate tenant, and I proximately $56,000 a year. There
ing for a roommate….” I inter- working, and helpful, and belie was willing to pay market rate for was no prospect of that for years.
rupted loudly, “Girls, goodbye, I any stereotype of poor and dan- a studio. So when several real-es- But Mike knew my good rent-pay-
know this man. This is my apart- gerous. Put together with the tate agents enthusiastically took ing history, and he had good rela-
ment possibility. Not yours. Go!” tales my friends told me of picket- my application and showed me tions with a few landlords. Within
They fled. So it was that I heard of ing Lower East Side greengrocers apartments, I assumed my four days, he found me a $1,385
everyone’s dream situation—a to win rights for Mexican immi- troubles were over. studio on Avenue A and Ninth
roommate gone to nurse a sick grant workers, it was a classic pic- I went to see apartment after Street. I took it.
mother in Massachusetts all but ture of poor immigrants starting apartment. I was taken with a one- I was so happy with my living
two days a month, when she re- out. East 116th Street was exactly bedroom on 13th Street between situation that it was hard to worry
turned to see John, get her mail, like pictures of Hester Street in avenues A and B; expensive, but about two years from now, when
and be seen by the super. Janet the early 1900s—food, clothing, nice, at $1,400 with two closets I would either need a $56,000 job
charged me $500; I think the to- watches, flowers peddled on the and light. I submitted all my paper- or for rents to go down. But this
tal rent was less. street, no room to walk, babies work and was rejected. Next, I fall, my name came up to the top
I moved in. I saved money, underfoot, the Sanitation Depart- found a smaller one-bedroom on on a list I had been on for four
started lowering the balance on ment not doing its job, with con- Seventh Street for $1,300. I was years, for a subsidized moderate-
my credit cards. But the landlord comitant smells and rodents. rejected again. Three weeks later, income apartment. My income
was harassing Janet to leave. He Interesting street food that my I was interested in one on 11th just made it under the wire;
sued to evict her, saying that this neighbors loved but didn’t sit well Street, between avenues B and C. $33,000 is less than 80% of area
was not her primary residence. in my stomach. I was sure I’d get this one, as there median income. I will now be pay-
She had medical documentation Harder to describe is my daily were two vacant apartments of the ing $627 for a one-bedroom apart-
that she was caring for her experience on the #6 train down- same layout, at the same price. ment in this neighborhood of my
mother, but the landlord had town. My train, full of blacks and Again, I was rejected. choice. It is mine forever (well,
other tactics to try. The bathroom Latinos from uptown, then pack- Each try cost me $100 for a until I am too old to walk up four
ceiling was falling down, leaking ing in young blonde recent New credit check. The realtors were flights). The circle is complete and
water from the apartment above. Yorkers at 86th, 77th, and 68th telling me that I was a great can- conclusive; I do have apartment
My cat developed irritable bowel Street (older whites from that didate, and they didn’t know why karma.
syndrome from chunks of the ceil- area take buses or taxis to work), the landlord chose someone else.
8 December 2001 — TENANT/INQUILINO
Council
continued from page 1
until grilling them on where they from financial liability when chil- new class of Council members,” Complaint
stand on the FDC program. In dren are poisoned. Vallone declared policy expert Liz
addition to a series of private meet-
ings, FDC also organized a public
rammed it through the Council in
a matter of days, in the face of
Krueger. “They are bright and
interested in learning their jobs.
Numbers
forum of the speaker candidates universal opposition from the sci- The Fresh Democracy Council is
on Dec. 5 at the union hall of entific and health community and on the right track.”
Local 32B-J, cosponsored by the advocates for children. Because
New York Public Interest Research the Council failed to look at the The Department of Housing,
Group, the Working Families health impact the law would have, Preservation and Development
Party, Citizens Union, and a group particularly in the low-income (HPD) has changed its Central
called Democratic Leadership for communities of color making up Complaints hotline.
the 21st Century. the “lead belt,” the statute was The new number is:
struck down by state Supreme
(212) 824-4328
Avoiding the Court.
Mistakes of the Past The new speaker will preside
With the new Council facing the over the Council’s efforts to revisit
daunting task of dealing with New and improve efforts to confront The Department of Buildings
York’s deepening economic crisis, this critical issue. Several of the has also condensed its bor-
worsening housing shortage, and members who are seeking the ough phone numbers into one
growing hunger, unemployment position were among those who complaints line.
and homelessness, while standing voted against Local Law 38, includ- The new number is:
up for the city’s communities ing Bill Perkins, Phil Reed and (212) 227-7000
against a billionaire businessman Tracy Boyland. Others, including
in City Hall, more and more Gifford Miller and Angel
people have recognized that the Rodriguez, voted with Vallone and
Council must emerge from the the real-estate industry. Had the
top-down, undemocratic Vallone Fresh Democracy Council’s rules
era. been effect, Local Law 38 would
The failings of the old Council never have been passed, because
were typified by Local Law 38,
nicknamed the Lead Poisoning Act
most councilmembers were aware
of its defects and only voted for it E-mail Met Council
of 1999, which weakened protec-
tions against childhood lead poi-
out of fear of retribution from
Vallone.
active@metcouncil.net
soning while insulating landlords “I’m very impressed with the
Hotline Volunteers Needed!
Our phones are ringing of the hook! Met Council is look-
ing for people to counsel tenants on our hotline. We will WHERE TO GO FOR HELP
train you! The hotline runs on Mondays and Wednesdays
LOWER EAST SIDE BRANCH at LOWER MANHATTAN
from 1:30-5 PM. If you can give one afternoon a week for Cooper Square Committee LOFT TENANTS
this crucial service to the tenant community, 61 E. 4th St. (btwn. 2nd Ave. & Bowery) St. Margaret’s House, Pearl & Fulton
call Dave at (212) 979-6238 x6. Tuesdays ............................... 6:30 pm Sts., 212-539-3538
Note: This office closes for the month Wednesdays ..................... 6 pm-7 pm
of August. It reopens Sept. 4, the first
Tuesday of the month. VILLAGE INDEPENDENT
City Limits
DEMOCRATS
CHELSEA COALITION ON HOUSING 26 Perry St. (basement), 212-741-2994
Covers 14th St. to 30th St., 5th Ave. to the Wednesdays ..................... 6 pm-7:30 pm
Hudson River.
322 W. 17th St. (basement), CH3-0544 WEST SIDE TENANTS UNION
Thursdays ............................. 7:30 pm 200 W. 72nd St. Room 63; 212-595-1274
New York’s Urban Affairs News Magazine
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Tuesday & Thursday ............... 2-5 pm
GOLES (Good Old Lower East Side) Tuesday and Wednesday ... 6-7:45 pm
525 E. 6th St. (btwn. Aves. A & B) Lower
Organizing q Development q Housing q Community Action
East Side tenants only, 212-533-2541.
Insight into the politics of poverty, race and urban economics
HOUSING COMMITTEE OF RENA
Covers 135th St. to 165th St. from
10 issues a year $25 (212)479-3344 120 Wall Street, 20 flr.
th
Riverside Dr. to St. Nicholas Ave.,
Two years for $35 New York, NY 10005 544 W. 157th St. (basement entrance).
Thursdays ................................... 8 pm
Jo in Met Council
METROPOLITAN
METROPOLITAN Membership: Individual, $25 per year; Low-income, $15 per year; family
(voluntary: 2 sharing an apartment), $30 per year. Supporting, $40 per
COUNCIL year. Sustaining, min. of $100 per year (indicate amount of pledge). For
affiliation of community or tenant organizations, large buildings, trade
unions, etc. call 212-979-6238.
ON HOUSING My apartment is q controlled q stabilized q unregulated q other_____________
Met Council is a citywide tenant union. q I am interested in volunteering my time to Met Council. Please call me to schedule
times and duties. I can q counsel tenants, q do office work, q lobby public officials,
Our phones are open to the public q attend rallies/protests.
Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.
Name
We can briefly answer your questions, help you with Address Apt. No.
organizing or refer you to other help.
City State Zip
212-979-0611 Home Phone Number
Send your check or money order with this form to:
Metropolitan Council on Housing, 339 Lafayette St., NY, NY 10012
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