New York habitually lets property owners begin construction without disclosing that their buildings are rent-stabilized or occupied by tenants.
Landlords throughout New York City have falsified more than 10,000 applications to renovate or expand their properties, according to a new report from the Housing Rights Initiative. The move is often part of a ploy to drive tenants out of rent-stabilized units so they can be replaced with market-rate, advocates explain.
The issue gained attention after Kushner Companies was fined $210,000 for the illegal practice, Politico reports. Kushner's practices also recently shed light on New York's lax enforcement of building codes.
Currently, a fine is the only penalty for applications that falsely report being unoccupied or exempt from rent stabilization; the permits are still routinely granted and construction allowed to proceed. Legislation from City Councilmember Ritchie Torres attempts to increase oversight by requiring the Buildings and Finance departments to improve their information-sharing practices.
New York has seen a net loss of nearly 150,000 rent-stabilized units since 1994, Politico notes.
FULL STORY: Kushner's false construction filings part of widespread city trend
The Endangered Rent-Stabilized Apartment in New York City
Laws that control rent-stabilized apartments have been weakened over the last 25 years while the surging economy drives many of these units into the free market.
Proposed Bill Would Strengthen California’s Renter Protections
The bill would improve on the 2019 Tenant Protection Act by further limiting rent increases and adding more eviction protections for California renters.
Appeals Court Decision Favors New York City Tenants
The court ruled against landlords challenging the city’s rent stabilization laws as unconstitutional. The landlords plan to take their case to the Supreme Court.
Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.
New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico
An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.
Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes
Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.
Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels
Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions