Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign S.6941/A.9297, legislation which would establish the crime of sabotage of rent regulated accommodations.

Res. No. 229

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign S.6941/A.9297, legislation which would establish the crime of sabotage of rent regulated accommodations.

By Council Members Espinal, Gentile, Levine, Mendez, Reynoso and Rosenthal

                     Whereas, According to the most recent Housing and Vacancy Survey (HVS), a survey conducted every 3 years that includes characteristics pertaining to the City’s population, households, housing stock and neighborhoods, a little more than two-thirds of the City’s households are renter households; and

                     Whereas, Of the City’s approximately 2,105,000 renter households, 61 percent or 1,293,000 are living in accommodations that are rent regulated by some form of federal, state, or city law or regulation; and

                     Whereas, Rent regulation, including rent control and rent stabilization, offers renters protections against steep rent increases and evictions without cause; and

                     Whereas, In certain instances, upon vacancy, an owner may deregulate such accommodations and charge future renters market rates; and

                     Whereas, According to recent news reports, certain building owners are intentionally destroying rent regulated accommodations in order to make them uninhabitable and drive occupants out; and

Whereas, S.6941, sponsored by State Senator Martin Malavé Dilan, currently pending in the New York State Senate, and A.9297, sponsored by State Assembly Member Joseph R. Lentol, currently pending in the New York State Assembly, would expand renter protections by establishing the crime of sabotage, which involves impairing the habitability of a housing accommodation or utility with the intent to cause a rent regulated occupant to vacate; and

Whereas, In order to protect renters living in rent regulated accommodations and preserve the City’s affordable housing stock, the crime of sabotage of rent regulated accommodations should be established; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign S.6941/A.9297, legislation which would establish the crime of sabotage of rent regulated accommodations.

GP

LS# 1342

04/25/2014