Queens senate delegation pushes for 90-day rent freeze
/
State Sen. Michael Gianaris introduced a bill that would establish a 90-day rent freeze for tenants and business affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The six other Queens state senators support the measure. AP Photo/Hans Pennink
By David Brand
All seven state senators from Queens say they support legislation to establish a 90-day rent freeze for New York tenants and businesses squeezed by the COVID-19 health and economic crisis. The bill, introduced by Western Queens State Sen. Michael Gianaris, would extend the rent freeze to laid off workers and shuttered businesses while suspending mortgage payments for landlords of those residential or commercial tenants.
“The devastation caused by coronavirus will be far-reaching and long-lasting,” Gianaris said. “Suspending rents is a critically important step to help New Yorkers survive this unprecedentedly difficult time.”
Three Queens state senators, John Liu, Jessica Ramos and Toby Ann Stavisky, have co-sponsored the bill.
Three others, Joseph Addabbo, Jr., Leroy Comrie and James Sanders, say they also support the legislation.
“We’re not going to be out of the woods any sooner than 90 days and we need to think creatively so our businesses don’t go down the drain, so our residents, many of whom will be unemployed, are secure,” said Sanders, adding that he plans to co-sponsor the legislation. “And we also need to think of the small property owners, so we can come up with a solution for them too.”
A spokesperson for Comrie said he supports the bill.
Addabbo said he supports the measure but wants it included in the budget, which is due April 1.
“I think it’s the right thing to do, but this is not the right way to address this issue,” Addabbo said. “This is an issue for the budget.”
An executive order from the president would also apply to mortgage lenders based outside the state, he said. “People out of work or ill, this kind of relief is needed by the renters and the owners. “
Manhattan Assemblymember Yuh Line Niou on Wednesday sponsored the Assembly version of the bill, which quickly received support from local lawmakers, including Queens Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi
The 90-day rent freeze has been backed by federal and city leaders as well. U.S. Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Nydia Velazquez each endorsed the legislation on Twitter. So did Council Speaker Corey Johnson.
Long-time tenants’ rights advocates and New Yorkers suddenly facing the prospect of missed rent payments and homelesness alike have supported relief from tenants and as the COVID-19 crisis forces mass layoffs, furloughs and business closures. The illness and the indefinite shutdown have already fueled a surge in unemployment statewide.
The state court system has enacted a temporary eviction moratorium, and the mayor has ordered city marshals not to execute evictions, but those measures do not address the lack of money for rent payments.
“Just because there’s a moratorium on evictions doesn’t mean you stop paying your rent,” said Queens Volunteer Lawyers Project Director Mark Weliky.
To take effect a rent freeze bill would require Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s signature.
“We will review the bill,” said a spokesperson for the governor.
