News Story (New York)
Nikita Stewart
New York Times (NYT)
February 27, 2017
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
Tags: Housing: Affordability
Organizations mentioned/involved: Legal Aid Society (New York City)
DETAILS
The increase, which could go into effect as early as April, was agreed to on Monday and settled a lawsuit filed in December 2015 by four single mothers — two in the Bronx, one on Staten Island and one in Manhattan. The women said they faced eviction because the monthly public assistance they received from the state was “grossly inadequate” and far below fair-market rent.
In 2015, fair-market rent was $1,571 for a two-bedroom apartment, and it is now $1,637. Represented by the Legal Aid Society and Hughes Hubbard & Reed, the women were seeking increases in the Family Eviction Prevention Supplement for families with children who are under the threat of eviction and another benefit, known as the “shelter allowance,” for families with children on public assistance.
“I feel happy that it’s going to help other women with children,” said Daniela Tejada, 27, one of the plaintiffs, who lives in a one-bedroom apartment in the Bronx with her daughters, ages 6 and 2. “It’s really hard out here. All these rents are superhigh.”