Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, received criticism for backing a rise in rent for rent-stabilized units from a lady who he compared to a plantation owner.
In the video from the town hall meeting this week, a woman can be seen gesturing with her finger at Mayor Adams while standing across from a group of more than a dozen elected officials for publicly endorsing the Rent Guidelines Board’s decision to raise rents for over one million stabilized apartments by up to 6%.
“Why are we experiencing these terrible rent increases both last year as well as this year in the city of New York City, where real estate controls you, Mr. Mayor?” said the lady.
Adams said he had no influence over the choices made by the Rent Guidelines Board, but the lady drew attention to the fact that he had publicly backed the rent increases.
Adams reprimanded the woman for disrespecting the “mayor of the city.”
Adams remarked during the meeting at the Upper Manhattan school, “If you’re about to be asking a question, refrain from pointing at me and do not be disrespectful to me.”
“I’m this city’s mayor. Treat me with the decency that I deserve. You are the adult to whom I am speaking. Don’t behave in front of them the way you would if they were on your own plantation. Please join in the discussion with me and treat me with respect. I’m a mature man; stop pointing at me and talk to me like one. I entered this room like a grown man, and I will leave it as a grown man.”
In a decision made on a 5-4 vote, the Rent Guidelines Board agreed to allow a 3 percent rise in monthly payments during the first year of a lease and a 2.75 percent increase during the second. For leases signed from October through September 2024, this rule will apply.
Initially opposing a rent rise of 7%, Mayor Adams later said that 6% was a suitable “balance.”
Adams stated in a statement, “I want to congratulate the members of the Rent Guidelines Board for their critically essential and extremely challenging job protecting renters from unjustified rent hikes, while also ensuring small property owners have the wherewithal to maintain their facilities. Finding the ideal balance is never simple, but this year, I think the board has succeeded.”
According to a report from 2023 by the United Way as well as the Fund for New York City, the rent increase came at a time when 50% of New York households struggle to pay basic requirements and 80% spend over 30% of their earnings on housing.
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