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Tenant Alert!
Pataki’s DHCR Still Pushing Anti-Tenant Changes
The state Division of Housing and Community Renewal shows no signs of letting up on its proposed changes to the Rent Stabilization Code. The “public comment period” on the changes will end on July 12. Between now and then, it is extremely important that tenants bombard both Pataki and the DHCR with letters, e-mails, faxes and calls opposing the changes. A sample letter appears below.
If DHCR decides to proceed with the changes, they will not go into effect immediately, so continued activism will be important. However, our letters will only become part of the “public record” if sent on or before July 12. A group of attorneys are planning to file suit to prevent the changes. But this is not something that can be won by lawyers alone. If Pataki does not feel political pressure, the changes will go through regardless of their lack of legal merit. Get your neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family to write letters. If the governor senses that we are sleeping, we will lose.
Dear Governor Pataki:
I am a tenant writing to you about the changes proposed by DHCR to the Rent Stabilization Code.
First and foremost, I am calling upon you as governor to prevent these changes from becoming permanent. As you know, these changes do not merely favor landlords, they undermine the system of rent stabilization and the supposed mission of DHCR. While all of the changes are unacceptable, the ones that concern me the most are these… (insert the proposed changes that will be most damaging in your community).
Secondly, I am calling upon you to extend the “public comment period” for 120 days after July 12, so that other tenants may give comments on the changes. The manner in which DHCR is attempting to force these changes upon tenants violates the State Administrative Procedure Act, by not soliciting input from the public in a meaningful way. I was unaware of the “public” hearing held on May 25 and therefore did not get an opportunity to testify before DHCR. (If you were one of the handful of people who did testify, you can write about how few tenants in your community were aware of the hearing.)
Last but not least, I am aware that you are facing re-election. As governor, you are responsible for the conduct of the state agencies under your authority. If you allow DHCR to dismantle what is left of our tenant protections—the protections that over 2 million of us rely on—you will pay for it at the polls.
Please respond to this letter.
Signed,
Jane Q. Tenant