In response to Bronx tenants paying staggering amounts in Major Capital Improvements (permanent rent increases landlords are allowed by law to charge rent-stabilized tenants for building-wide “improvements”), tenants from CASA and the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy coalition facing permanent monthly rent increases from Major Capital Improvements (MCIs) joined forces to call for policy reforms at the state level. The No More MCIs Coalition consisted of 18 buildings where 1,470 families fought over $13.6 million in permanent rent increases.
The No More MCIs coalition after meeting with state senators Victor Pichardo and Gustavo Rivera.
In October 2017, we presented our recommendations to the New York State Division of Homes and Community Renewal to make immediate changes to initial notices are clear and understandable, documents are available in languages other than English, give more time for tenants to oppose MCIs, and make tenant consent a requirement among other policy reforms.
In 2019, CASA fought for an end to all MCIs with the statewide housing coalition Housing Justice for All, and won landmark changes to the rent stabilization laws! MCIs are now capped at 2 percent of monthly rent, amortize over a longer period and landlords face greater oversight of when and where they can deploy them, reducing the risk of displacement for Bronx tenants.
However, the work still continues! If you are a Bronx tenant who is facing MCIs, please contact Hal at (929) 837 – 0128 to learn how you can take collective action to fight MCIs.