With progressive momentum on their side, tenant advocates see hope for the REST Act next session

Tenants’ rights groups see a clearer path to pass key pieces of their agenda, like statewide rent control, next year after progressive candidates they backed won recent primary races outside New York City and housing affordability stays top-of-mind for voters.

Housing advocates like Xaver Kandler, political director with For the Many, are working to build on the momentum currently giving progressive and democratic socialist candidates an edge – momentum only further aided by the New York City Rent Guidelines Board’s approval of a one-year rent freeze last month.  “The No. 1 thing stopping gentrification right now in New York City is rent stabilization – it’s the No. 1 thing keeping people in their homes,” Kandler, told City & State.

Current law allows localities outside New York City to adopt rent stabilization, or place an annual limit on rent hikes, if they declare a state of housing emergency, or demonstrate a housing vacancy rate of 5% or less, through a vacancy study.