TESTIMONY TO BE GIVEN BEFORE THE HEARINGS OF THE RENT GUIDELINES BOARD ON JUNE 11, 2019

This was e-mailed by SAVING JUSTICE Editor, Dr. Jim Fairbanks, (and to other media outlets.)

My desire is for trust and the working together of landlords and tenant associations so that our buildings and South Bronx community can survive and thrive.

Yet, looking historically, trust requires the justice of an apology and restitution from the real estate industry! After 50 years I still have not received an apology from the millionaire landlords for milking and burning down 10,000 buildings in the South Bronx for arson profit, and for making 500,000 residents flee for their lives in one of the greatest crimes and migrations of the 20 th century.

Rent increases? But, trust requires apology, restitution, repairs, rent rollback, more rollback. and a lot  more rollback. I would prefer that this not be a hearing on rent increases, but rather a hearing of a Truth & Reconciliation Commission. I would gladly forgive and restore trust!

A predatory landlord bought my building a year ago, and in less than a year, 25% of the tenants have fled the building because the landlord is ending the preferential rents of all tenants. Talk about a rent increase of hundreds and hundreds of dollars! And, the Rent Guidelines Board is considering increases? Really?

If things weren’t bad enough, here comes the Mayor’s unaffordable rezoning gentrification plan to destroy the diverse cultures of the South Bronx community and drive out the people of low and moderate income. And landlords want rent increases?

After the destruction and abandonment of the South Bronx by the real estate industry, we rebuilt the South Bronx by sweat equity, low income coops, non-profit community housing developers, and years of demand to the government and the private sector to rebuild. And the real estate industry made their billions in rebuilding. So, why gentrify and drive out the people again?

Thanks to the unprecedented organizing of CASA and dozens of such groups across the city, we are trying to hold off another eve of destruction. How long will the notion continue that the residents of the Bronx do not know what is best for the well being of our community, but only the people of power, wealth and control?

My desire as a tenant leader is the restoring of trust between landlords and tenant associations so that our buildings and community can survive and thrive. Thank you.

Please attend the Rent Guidelines Board’s Hearings on rent increases on Tuesday, June 11 at the Hostos Community College Main Theater. CASA will have a press conference at 5:00 PM before the Hearings.