SPOTLIGHT ON: Rents

By Christine Bruzzese

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   Government regulation of rents began in New York City during the 1920's. Since then, rent regulation and control have been significant issues in the life of the city. This article features some publications on rents and rent regulation in the City Hall Library collection.

   The Urban Housing Dilemma: the Dynamics of New York City's Rent Controlled Housing was written by George Sternlieb for the New York City Housing and Development Administration in 1972. This is an extensive analysis of the rent-controlled housing situation in New York City. Included are studies of income factors, operating cost index, welfare housing, financing and comparison with non-rent controlled housing, welfare housing, tax issues and more.

   New York City Rent Guidelines Board publishes Housing NYC: Rents, Markets and Trends annually. This is a compilation of data on income and expenses, income and affordability, mortgages and housing supply. Detailed statistics and explanatory text are provided. Holdings are from1995 to present. An earlier version of this report entitled Rent Stabilized Housing in New York City was published from 1989 to 1994 and is maintained in the City Hall Library collection.

   The Tenant Movement in New York City, 1904-1984 edited by Ronald Lawson and Mark Naison, is a compilation of five essays by academics and other experts. The history of rental housing and tenant activism movements are discussed. Topics include organization of tenant movements, rent control, responses to the urban housing crisis and landlord issues. Photographs enhance the text.

The Tenant Movement in New York City, 1904-1984, Ed. Ronald Lawson		Housing NYC: Rents, Markets and Trends by NYC Rent Guidelines Board

   Making the Rent: 2002 to 2005: Changing Rent Burdens & Housing Hardships among Low-Income New Yorkers was published by the Community Service Society in 2006. This report analyzes the problems of increasing rents for low-income New York City residents. The issues of rising rent and housing hardships such as failure to pay rent or mortgages are presented. Recommendations for improvement are given.

   Vertical files contain clippings and related materials on rents, rent control and housing.

Find out more at: http://www.nyc.gov/html/records/home.html