Press Releases

"The Second Avenue Subway is long overdue. Completing Phase II in an expedient manner is essential for improving commutes in a borough that is only growing. We must keep construction on track, going north and then south," said Council Member Ben Kallos.

New York, NY –  Council Member Ben Kallos hosted an annual Senior Health Fair on Friday, October 30^th at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House. Sixteen nonprofits, government agencies, and health institutions conducted screenings, provided informational materials and giveaways to the over 50 seniors in attendance, and no-cost flu shots.

“All New Yorkers should have access to health and wellness resources and services," said Council Member Ben Kallos. "It is especially crucial that we make these resources and services accessible to seniors. It was my pleasure to partner with nonprofits, government agencies, and health institutions throughout the City to bring this event to seniors in my district.”

A domestic violence and family law clinic was announced yesterday by Council Member Ben Kallos to be offered in his district office in partnership with the Urban Justice Center (UJC). Occurring the second Monday of every month, the clinic will offer constituents the opportunity to meet with a staff member from UJC's Domestic Violence Project to discuss issues including child custody, divorce, identity theft, and domestic violence. Council District 5 residents can reserve hour-long, one-on-one appointments through the Council Member's office. The first session will take place on November 9th from 2pm to 6pm. 
“Sadly, no one can escape domestic violence by virtue of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or socioeconomic class; it happens to all people and this clinic is here to help," said Council Member Ben Kallos. "It is crucial that everyone has access to professional advice to help them understand their rights so they can protect their interests and the interests of their families. I am pleased to partner with the incredible team at the Urban Justice Center's Domestic Violence Project to make these resources available to my constituents.”

This year, I am calling on the Rent Guidelines Board to vote for a rent rollback. Our tenants have endured an undue rent burden, with high increases year after year. Meanwhile, income cannot keep pace and only crept up by 2.3% between 2005 and 2013 in real terms.

Last year, the Board voted for a historic low 1% increase for one-year leases and 2.75% for two-year leases—but that did not correct for the disproportionately high increases of previous years.

The approved rent increases each year have largely been based upon the landlord’s operating costs, measured by the price index of operating cost (PIOC). This practice not only fails to consider tenants, but has also proven to be inaccurate: based upon data from the DOF, the PIOC has overstated landlord costs by 11% since 2005. This miscalculation led to unfairly high rent increases in past years, which must be corrected with a rent rollback.

Those increases have come with consequences. A unit is considered affordable if the rent is no higher than 30% of their household income. The median rent-to-income ratio of tenants in rent stabilized apartment is 36.4%. By this standard, a majority of rent-stabilized tenants have units that are not affordable. The stress of financial insecurity takes a toll on New Yorkers every day.

A rent rollback is also economically feasible for landlords. Even by the slanted standards of the PIOC, operating costs only increased by a mere .5% this year. We have an opportunity to correct for years of high rent increases and subsequent burden on tenants, without greatly burdening landlords. After so many years of only considering landlord costs, it is time to consider the needs of our tenants. This is a city of renters, but we will only remain one if we vigorously protect the affordable housing we already have. Please join us by voting for a rent rollback this year.