NYC's rent hike decision upsets both tenants and landlords

Also, asylum seekers have good approval odds in NYC. [View this email in a browser.]( Gothamist relies on your support to make local news available to all. Not yet a member? [Consider donating and join today.]( [NYC board votes to hike rents by 2.75% for 1 million rent-stabilized apartments]( [first image]( [Today's newsletter curated by Emily Nadal]( Weather: ☀️ Sunny and hot with a high of 88 degrees. It’s Tuesday morning in New York City and last night, the city’s Rent Guidelines Board [voted to increase rents]( for roughly 1 million rent-stabilized apartments starting in the fall, a decision that faced immediate criticism from tenants and activists who protested against the ruling in light of the city’s affordability crisis. Landlords will now be able to increase rents by 2.75% on new one-year leases and by up to 5.25% on two-year leases. But tenants weren’t the only ones upset by the Rent Guidelines Board’s decision. Property owners felt the increases should’ve been even higher, also citing the city’s affordability crisis as justification. Here’s what else is happening: - People seeking asylum in the U.S. have a good chance overall of having their case approved in New York City. But those [odds can vary widely]( depending on which court or judge the case is assigned to. - Lead poisoning prevention advocates are planning to rally outside City Hall this morning to protest a new City Council bill that could require property owners to get rid of their dangerous lead pipes. [Here’s why they're opposing the bill.]( - Last year, the NYC office that investigates misconduct claims in public schools received more than 10,260 complaints, which was a record high. But many of those complaints are [not leading to investigations]( in part due to the office’s staff shortage. - The NYPD said they have a [person of interest in custody]( in connection with a high-profile robbery and assault on two 13-year-olds in a Queens park last week. - People are [leaving poor ratings]( on Google reviews for a Midtown restaurant that hasn’t even opened yet. - It’s primary season, but not everyone on the ballot may be a recognizable name. We put together a list of [what you need to know]( to head to the voting booth prepared. - Brian Lehrer is launching his own newsletter, featuring his exclusive column, new ways to share your stories online and on air, plus an inside look at the show each week. [Sign up here]( to get it in your inbox on Thursday. - With congestion pricing indefinitely paused, the fate of more than $100 million in projects to address air pollution in some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods [hangs in the balance.]( - The Westminster Dog Show is finally [coming back to its home]( at Madison Square Garden after bopping around different venues the past few years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. - NYC lawmakers plan to hold a hearing today to discuss a bill that would expand the city’s fertility coverage to [include gay male couples.]( - Being a social media influencer might be a dream career for some, but many influencers aren’t actually making [that much money.]( - A 42-year-old former Department of Buildings inspector who was arrested in April [pleaded guilty to taking bribes]( from three Queens homeowners in exchange for not issuing violations. - There’s a 1920s-style yacht that will [take you on a tour]( of the city’s abandoned islands this summer. - Could it be time to [do away with plus-ones]( at weddings? - A heat wave is on its way to New York City, and Deputy Schools Chancellor Dan Weisberg promised that school custodians would [have air conditioners cranking]( well before students arrive. - But forget about heading to one of the city’s outdoor pools to cool off this week, [they don’t open]( until June 27. [“Many of us are not able to pay the rent. They make a new increase and the new percentage is compounded with the old.”]( - Geronimo Jourdain, Bronx renter discussing [THE RENT GUIDELINEs BOARD'S INCREASE DECISION.]( More from Gothamist [second image]( [Automated ticketing of drivers blocking MTA bus stops begins this week]( Drivers who block bus stops will soon be ticketed under a new program using cameras mounted to the front of MTA buses. [Brooklyn's ‘Bling Bishop’ sentenced to 9 years in federal prison for fraud]( A Brooklyn pastor known for his flashy fashion sense and ties to Mayor Eric Adams was sentenced on Monday to nine years in prison. [We Rely On Your Support]( [Powerful NJ political boss George Norcross accused of racketeering in sweeping indictment]( George E. Norcross III, a powerful executive and political figure in New Jersey for decades, was indicted Monday on racketeering and related charges. [NYC cooling centers to open on Tuesday as heat wave arrives, Mayor Adams says]( Cooling centers in New York City will open on Tuesday and remain open until at least Friday as a likely heat wave settles over the New York metro area. [Instagram]( [Instagram]( [Facebook]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Twitter]( [New York Public Radio] [WNYC]( | [WQXR]( | [NJPR]( | [GOTHAMIST]( [WNYC STUDIOS]( | [THE GREENE SPACE]( Copyright © New York Public Radio. All rights reserved. 160 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013 [TERMS OF USE]( You can update your [PREFERENCES]( or [UNSUBSCRIBE]( from this list.