Quinn Asks for Freeze On Stabilized Rents

Several elected officials, including City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, are pressing the New York City Rent Guidelines Board to freeze rents on the city's one million rent-stabilized apartments or make minimal increases.

Board members have proposed raising rents between 2 and 4.5% on housing with one-year leases and between 4 and 7.5% for twoyear leases and will vote on the increases next Tuesday.

"What they've put out there is far too high," Ms. Quinn said yesterday. She is asking the board to consider freezing rents for rent-stabilized tenants whose landlords have racked up numerous housing code violations.

Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum also testified before the board yesterday, urging it to take a more active role protecting affordable housing.