"A lot of folks don't realize how serious the Republicans and the landlord lobby were about ending rent regulation-and how close they came to succeeding in 1997. And a lot of folks don't realize that without Shelly Silver standing there to stop them, they might have won."
-Bertha Lewis,
NY ACORN & Co-Founder Housing Here and Now
Protecting Affordable Housing
"New Yorkers - those who work hard for a living and those who are retired - are entitled to a decent roof over their heads, in a neighborhood they enjoy at a price they can afford. If we fail to make it so, then we will no longer be the city we love so dearly. New York is our home and it must remain that way." - Shelly Silver
Shelly Silver stood up to a Republican Governor and State Senate when they tried to eliminate rent regulation in New York City. He extended the Loft Law and fought to protect Mitchell-Lama tenants and preserve affordable housing in our neighborhoods. Now he is fighting to make our rent laws even stronger.
- Preserving Rent Protections
- Standing up for Loft Tenants
- Working With Our Communities
- Making Our Homes Safer
- Increasing Funding for NYCHA
- Helping Lower Manhattan Move Home
Preserving Rent Protections
Tenants in rent-controlled and rent-stabilized apartments have been under attack by the real estate industry and the Republican-controlled State Senate for years. As Assembly Speaker, Shelly has fought to renew the rent laws that keep housing affordable for hundreds of thousands of working and retired families. Shelly has led the Assembly to pass legislation to:
- protect tenants in rent regulated apartments
- stabilize New York City's middle-class housing market
- eliminate "high rent" vacancy
decontrol, and
- increase penalties for landlords who harass tenants.
Standing up for Loft Tenants
Shelly has extended the Loft Law again and again, now through 2009, making commercial lofts converted into residences legal, and protecting residents against arbitrary evictions and rent hikes. His work also expanded protections for loft residents, increasing the number of residents covered and prevented landlords from coercing loft residents into leaving by turning off heat or water
Working With Our Communities
Neighbors know we can count on Shelly to help us when our homes are put at risk. When residents of Gateway Plaza in Battery Park City were being threatened, Shelly negotiated a deal to keep their apartments affordable. When 90 West Street flooded, Shelly helped find the tenants emergency housing. Shelly protected affordable housing at Knickerbocker Village when the State threatened to privatize the property.
Making Our Homes Safer
Affordable housing must also be safe. When tenants at local NYCHA complexes told Shelly they were concerned about gang violence, he delivered $1.5 million to launch a pilot tenant patrol program at 15 New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) complexes, including Rutgers Houses. The initiative provides a monthly stipend for resident patrol volunteers who give 10 hours each month to maintain safety by discouraging vandalism and loitering and reporting suspicious behavior to the authorities. Shelly also works with local precincts to ensure police efforts are targeted where they are needed most.
Increasing Funding for NYCHA
Shelly Silver was a leader in the fight to increase funding for the New York City Housing Authority residences. Tens of millions of dollars in much-needed and vitally important additional assistance to NYCHA is already starting to make a difference in people's lives.
Helping Lower Manhattan Move Home
After the attacks of September 11th, Shelly worked to ensure the safety of buildings in Lower Manhattan and help residents move back in. He successfully helped those living at 125 Cedar St get back to their homes and helped the community advocate for the reopening of Park Row. He fought for more federal aid and fair reimbursements for lost property.