Instead of a normal chapter meeting, this month we are rallying together to freeze the rent! On Thursday, May 7 the Rent Guidelines Board is holding a Preliminary Vote that will set the range of possible changes to one-and-two-year rent-stabilized leases. Many organizations including New York State Tenant Bloc and Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are hosting a big rally outside the meeting to put pressure on the Board to freeze the rent!
SURJ NYC will meet at 5:00pm in Long Island City on the south east corner of 47th Avenue and Van Dam Street and then walk together to join the rally just down the block outside of LaGuardia Performing Arts Center. The rally starts at 5:00pm, doors open for the public meeting at 6:00pm, and the meeting begins at 7:00pm. RSVP to let us know you are coming!
This meeting is the first public vote in a two month process that will culminate in a final vote on June 25th that determines the final rent increases. There are many public meetings and opportunities to testify during this period (check out the full schedule). There is also a lot of exciting organizing happening over the next two months to push for a rent freeze. Here are a few ways to get involved:
Join a canvass with the new Organize NYC initiative of the Office of Mass Engagement to encourage New Yorkers living in rent stabilized units to testify at Rent Guidelines Board meetings. There are canvasses across the city this week.
Phonebank with New York State Tenant Bloc to call rent stabilized tenants and get them engaged
Check out some other ways to get involved through New York State Tenant Bloc!
See you on Thursday!
SURJ NYC