Mayor de Blasio Calls for Rent Freeze Amid COVID-19 Crisis

On March 27, Mayor de Blasio called for a rent freeze for 2.3 million tenants in nearly 1 million rent-stabilized units across the city amid the COVID-19 epidemic.

According to de Blasio, due to this evolving crisis that’s causing loss of employment and income across the city, the data that typically informs the Rent Guidelines Board is rapidly changing. As a result, he announced the city will work with the state to suspend the Rent Guidelines Board process for the coming year, which will maintain all regulated rents at their current level for 2.3 million tenants in nearly 1 million stabilized units across the city.

“We are in the midst of a crisis only comparable to the Great Depression,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The people of our city are struggling and a rent freeze is the lifeline so many will need this year to stay above water.”