Tenants at Starrett City just learned that their landlord has applied to opt out of the Mitchell-Lama program.
Although constructed in 1975 (and too late for the Emergency Tenant Protection Act) Starrett City may go into rent stabilization if its landlord continues to benefit from J-51 tax breaks for improvements and repairs. In addition, many tenants there may be eligible for enhanced vouchers, which would keep their rent at roughly 30% (or more if that's what they're now paying!) of their income.
Tenants at the post-1973 Knickerbocker Plaza got a similar notice a little while ago, and are looking into their land disposition agreement to try to stave off the buyout.
Tenants at General Sedgwick -- the home of Hip Hop -- are hoping that a federal designation may keep their building affordable longer. Built before 1974, their building would go into rent stabilization upon leaving Mitchell-Lama.
Unfortunately, tenants at River Park in the Bronx were unaware of their rights when their building was purchased by Laurence Gluck (Stellar Management) and taken out of Mitchell-Lama. Because their building was constructed before 1974, they will go into rent stabilization -- and face Gluck's "unique or peculiar" application.
Contact Amy Chan at Tenants & Neighbors for more information on these developments.
