More than 100 Bronx residents took to the streets on June 12 to demand a freeze on rent increases for New York City’s rent-stabilized apartments. Marching from Bronx Borough Hall to Hostos Community College, tenants made their voices heard just hours before the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) held a public hearing to listen to community feedback. The rally brought together tenant advocates, local leaders, and concerned residents, all united by a single goal: to stop rent hikes that they say will further strain low-income and working-class families.

March to Demand Affordability

Tenants, including seniors and families, marched in a spirited show of unity ahead of the RGB’s public hearing. The demonstration began at Bronx Borough Hall and ended at Hostos Community College, where the board was scheduled to hear five hours of testimony. Chants like “Fight, fight, fight! Housing is a human right!” and “People, not profit!” echoed through the streets, with some drivers honking in solidarity as they passed.

Broad Coalition of Support

Multiple tenant advocacy organizations were represented at the rally, including the Bronx Defenders, New York Communities for Change, New York State Tenant Bloc, Banana Kelly Community Improvement Association, and CASA New Settlement. Each group brought forward stories of hardship, calling on the RGB to reject proposed rent increases and instead freeze rents for the city’s 2.4 million rent-stabilized tenants.

Proposed Rent Hikes Spark Concern

The RGB is expected to vote later this month on whether to increase rent for stabilized leases starting in October. The board’s proposed hikes range from 1.75% to 4.75% for one-year leases and 3.75% to 7.75% for two-year leases. These proposals have sparked widespread concern among tenants already dealing with rising costs of food, healthcare, and other essentials.

Landlords Say Costs Are Rising

On the other side of the debate, property owners argue that a rent freeze is not feasible. They cite rising costs of building operations, which have increased by 6.3% since last year. Ann Korchak, president of the Small Property Owners of New York, stated that property taxes and water rates continue to rise without relief from the city. She warned that a rent freeze could lead to foreclosures, abandoned buildings, and greater housing instability for tenants in the long run.

Tenants Share Personal Struggles

Several tenants spoke out at the rally, sharing how rent increases have affected their daily lives. Mercedes Escoto, a retired city social worker who has lived in her Highbridge apartment for 16 years, emphasized the financial strain she faces. She has not taken a vacation in over 15 years and has had to pay for repairs and pest control, expenses she believes should be covered by her landlord. Escoto questioned why previous rent increases did not lead to improvements in her building.

Working Families Feel the Pressure

Another Highbridge resident, Nereida Figueroa, voiced her concerns as a single mother of two who works up to 60 hours a week to cover basic expenses. She is currently trying to get her landlord to fix bathroom ceiling leaks that expose pipes. Figueroa fears that additional rent hikes will push more residents out of the neighborhood and contribute to increased homelessness. She described the threat of displacement as a growing issue, especially for communities already struggling to get by.

Elected Officials Join the Call

City Council Member Pierina Sanchez, who chairs the Committee on Housing and Buildings, addressed the crowd and urged the RGB to consider government support for building owners instead of passing costs onto tenants. She argued that the burden should not fall on the most vulnerable residents. Sanchez stressed that when people are already struggling, it is unjust to try to balance budgets on their backs. Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson echoed these sentiments during the hearing. She called rent stabilization one of the last remaining tools for affordable housing in the city. Gibson warned that the proposed increases would have devastating effects, particularly on seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.