NY Pol Supports Housing Rights Initiative Against the Kushner Companies

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.