Board Passes on Rent Freeze Despite Mayor de Blasio's Intentions

The New York City Rent Guidelines Board is one of the few ways Mayor Bill de Blasio can influence the price of housing in the city. All sides came away wanting when the board approved a historically low increase.

1 minute read

June 24, 2014, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"The board that regulates rents for nearly one million apartments in New York City voted on Monday night to allow the lowest percentage rent increase of its 45-year-existence, though it rebuffed calls from Mayor Bill de Blasio for a freeze," reports Mireya Navarro.

According to Navarro, "the nine-member Rent Guidelines Board voted 5 to 4 in favor of allowing rent increases of up to 1 percent for one-year leases on rent-stabilized apartments and 2.75 percent for two-year leases."

Tenants jeered and booed as the de Blasio-appointed board voted for the increase even after the mayor had hoped that the board would freeze rents. Landlords were also not pleased with the vote.

For some context on what de Blasio's influence might have achieved, "[the] 1 percent increase on one-year leases was the lowest the board had ever approved. The previous low was 2 percent in 2012." Additionally, "[last] year the board approved increases of 4 percent for one-year leases on rent-stabilized apartments and 7.75 percent for two-year leases.

Monday, June 23, 2014 in New York Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

3 hours ago - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

4 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business