Summary of the Jan. 17, 2024 Tenant Meeting

We began with a moment of silence for Marichu Ras, who passed away on January 12th.

Announcements

• 
  If Stellar is coming after you - for example about paying the rent - please contact the tenant association right away.  Time matters, and there's nothing to be embarrassed about.  Everyone needs help sometimes. 
  

• 
  Valentine's Day Fundraiser on Sat., February 10th in the lobby, 12 to 6 PM.  You can pay your annual dues ($10) and the legal fund contribution if you can afford it, and pick up some sweets for your sweetie.

• Winners of the "We Want to Hear From You!" contest:  Ayana Dixon announced the winners:  Linda Greenman, Ellen Zacarolli and Abraham Irwin (a commercial tenant).

• Logo contest:  Can you draw? paint? use a computer to design?  Design our Central Park Gardens Tenants' Association logo - for use on flyers and enlarged on a banner!  Deadline: Feb. 28, 2024. 

• Community Board 7 positions open. Apply now!  Deadline: Feb. 23rd at 5 PM.  

CLICK ON "READ MORE" FOR THE BULK OF THE SUMMARY. 

Open seat for Assembly Member Danny O'Donnell's position

Our long-time Assembly Member has decided not to run for re-election. There will be a Democratic primary in June with (so far) four candidates, listed in alphabetical order:

• Micah Lasher, just stepped down from being director of policy for NYS under Gov. Hochul

• Eli Northrup, policy director for Bronx Defenders practice

• Melissa Rosenberg, a real estate lobbyist

• Barry Weinberg, a data analyst and former Community Board 9 chair

Tenant association leaders from several buildings in the neighborhood are working to organize a zoom discussion with the candidates in February. 

Click on "read more" for the bulk of the summary. 

_________________

New Laws We Have for 2024 - The link is more complete than the highlights below. 

Tenants & Landlords:  

• Anti-Frankensteining law passed, so first rents of combined apartments are capped, and new apartments that include any space that was rent stabilized are now entirely stabilized. 
• Emergency contacts: Stellar must provide them to emergency services personnel, so give your contact information to the guard.  You can pick up a form from the guard's desk or from our super, Sako Kolenovic.

Voting:

• Easier voting registration and absentee voting, and voting forms for students and for prisoners completing their sentences.

Crime:

• Victims get more time to apply for compensation from state. 
• Clean-slate law (not for sex crimes, murder, or non-drug serious felonies), and law enforcement keep access to records.

Employment: 

• Minimum wage is now $16/hour, and going up in 2025. 
• Free-lancers must get written contracts. 
• Employers can't demand your social media information. 

New Laws We NEED for Housing Justice for All

• Good Cause Eviction : Protect market tenants by guaranteeing renewal leases and only limited rent increase (unless owner can justify more).

• Housing Access Voucher Program : state vouchers for low income tenants (including those excluded from federal vouchers).

• Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act : if owner wants to sell building, tenants get first offer. Can access public money and get permanently affordable housing.

• Reform the Rent Guidelines Boards and make it easier for communities to bring in rent stabilization : more things for the Rent Guidelines Board to consider, give advocates stronger role. Move RGB vote to November, and have all increases happen at same time. Reform the state’s Emergency Tenant Protection Act to make it easier for municipalities to opt in. Change date of construction requirement from pre 1974 to something more recent.

• Social Housing Development Authority like Mitchell Lama, to build and preserve high quality affordable housing.