Res. No. 1815

Resolution determining that a public emergency requiring rent control in the City of New York continues to exist and will continue to exist on and after April 1, 2009.

By Council Member Mark-Viverito, The Speaker (Council Member Quinn) and Council Members, Brewer, Fidler, Garodnick, Gerson, Jackson, James, Koppell, Liu, Martinez, Palma, Lappin, Mendez, Baez, Avella, Dilan, White Jr., Comrie, Reyna, Vacca, Dickens, Eugene, Gennaro, Recchia Jr., Weprin and Sanders Jr.

Whereas, The City, acting by the Mayor, has caused a survey to be made of the supply of housing accommodations and the need for continuing the regulation and control of residential rents and evictions within the City, and such survey has been submitted to the Council in accordance with the law; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council hereby determines that the public emergency requiring the regulation and control of residential rents and evictions within the City continues to exist and will continue to exist on and after April 1, 2009, and that an acute shortage of dwellings continues to exist and will continue to exist on and after April 1, 2009, that such shortage constitutes a threat to the citizens of New York City and creates a special hardship to persons and families of limited and moderate means; that unless residential rents and evictions continue to be regulated and controlled, there will be excessive rent increases and evictions for failing to pay such increases, which will produce serious threats to the public health, safety and general welfare, that to prevent such perils to the public health, safety and general welfare, preventive action through local legislation of the City continues to be imperative; that such action, as a temporary measure to be effective until it is determined by the Council that such emergency no longer exists, is necessary in order to prevent threats to the public health, safety and general welfare; that the transition from regulation to a normal market of free bargaining between landlord and tenant, while still the object of State and City policy, must be administered with due regard for such emergency; and be it further

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York, for the reasons hereinabove set forth, hereby determines, pursuant to subdivision 3 of section 1 of Chapter 21 of the Laws of 1962, as amended, that the continuation of the regulation and control of residential rents and evictions on and after April 1, 2009 is necessary to protect the public health, safety and general welfare and that such regulation and control should be continued as now or hereafter provided pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 3 of Title 26 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, subject to such amendment as may be enacted into law.

JH/BH

1/26/09