The following statement was submitted by the office of New York State Assembly Member Michael Blake of District 79.
Every
New Yorker deserves affordable, safe and quality housing. Today’s
announcement by Aaron Carr, founder of the Housing Rights Initiative,
and Bronx Council Member Ritchie Torres, that the Kushner companies
falsified more than 80 work permits across 34 buildings to violate state
rent regulations reminds us that the cause of fighting for housing
equity for New Yorkers is still critical and necessary.
The
Kushner Companies, previously headed by Jared Kushner, failed to
disclose the existence of rent-stabilized units in buildings, in an
effort to avoid stringent oversight during renovations. Additionally,
the company is accused of harassing rent control tenants, causing a
removal from rent-stabilized housing.
The
Housing Rights Initiative investigation reveals that these coercive
strategic moves by the Kushner companies are not coincidental, rather
discriminatory and intentional.
We
cannot tolerate predatory landlords like Jared Kushner and the Kushner
Companies who are causing a humanitarian crisis in New York by reducing
the stock of affordable housing available to low and middle income
families. Jared Kushner, you are not above the law. We must protect our
citizens so that families are not forced to relocate or face extreme
disruption in every aspect of their lives.
Let
us support Aaron Carr, the Housing Rights Initiative, and Council
Member Ritchie Torres as they began a necessary investigation in their
fight to protect New Yorkers and uphold justice and equity for our
communities.
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