Rent Hike Hearing Draws Small Crowd In Queens

By: Ruschell Boone

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Queens residents and landlords got the chance Tuesday to voice their opinions over the proposed rent hikes being considered by the city's Rent Guidelines Board.

Turnout was light at the public hearing held at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center in Long Island City.

During a preliminary vote last month, the Rent Guidelines Board approved a two to four percent increase on one-year renewal leases, and a four to six percent increase on two-year renewal leases.

A final vote is scheduled to take place next Thursday.

Currently, there are an estimated one million rent-regulated apartments in the city.

Many renters who spoke at the hearing say they simply can't afford an increase, while landlords argued the need to cover higher heating fuel costs, increasing taxes and other expenses.

"Everybody's biggest spenditure is their rent. So if my rent keeps going up and my wages stay the same, it's an endless spiral," said Queens tenant John Rutherford.

"We need the increase because how are we going to pay for the $20,000 in water bill increases, the 25 percent increase in oil, keeping things maintained. I don't want the increase. What I want is the city and the state to stop raising costs on us," said Queens landlord Jessica Anderson.

Another public hearing will take place this Thursday at Cooper Union in Manhattan.