Woodhaven district leader candidate posts petition to freeze rent and mortgage

Mufazzal Hossain, a Woodhaven resident who is running for one of Queens’ 72 Democratic district leader positions, published a petition calling for the city, state and federal governments to freeze rent and mortgage payments. Photo courtesy of Hossain

By David Brand

A Queens Democratic district leader candidate has drafted a petition calling on the federal, state and city government to enact drastic financial measures, including the suspension of nearly all housing payments, during the COVID-19 crisis.

Mufazzal Hossain, a Woodhaven resident who is running for one of Queens’ 72 Democratic district leader positions, published the petition on the platform ActionNetwork.org to urge various governments to suspend and forgive rent, mortgage and bill payments, as well as loan repayments and the accrual of interest. 

“With the outbreak of COVID-19, many will lose their jobs or limit their business operations which will make it hard for them to pay mortgages, rent, student loans — any loan — including credit card loan repayment,” Hossain said. “Accrual of interest on unpaid balance makes the situation worse for them.”

Hossain is the vice president for diversity and outreach of the Queens County Young Democrats. He moved with his family to Queens from Bangladesh when he was 1, but they returned to Bangladesh after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attack because they were concerned about Islamophobia, Hossain said. He came back to New York City to pursue his career, which now involves politics.

He said he is particularly focused on mental health and financial security in Woodhaven, Ozone Park and nearby communities of Queens.

“Those subletting and subleasing because of low-income must have a right to free of cost lawyers in case landlords demand rent from them even after a halt of all forms of property loans and property tax payment,” he said.