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Home Rule
Home rule, or self
government, is the right
of a locality to make laws addressing
local problems.
Background Prior to 1971, NYC had home rule
over rent and eviction protections covering more than one
million rent regulated apartments. In 1971, NYC’s home rule was
taken away by the “Urstadt law” pushed by Gov. Nelson
Rockefeller (and named for his housing commissioner). Since then, the state legislature has repeatedly
weakened the rent laws, particularly in 1997 and 2003. NYC’s
affordability crisis worsens each year: we now suffer record
levels of homelessness; elderly rent controlled tenants face
7.5% increases each year; and tens of thousands of subsidized
apartments are lost each year. With home rule restored, the city
council could strengthen rent and eviction laws, and protect
additional units such as those losing Mitchell-Lama, Section 8
or Rent Stabilization protection.
How can Home Rule be achieved and what would
that accomplish?
Home rule can only be restored by the state legislature. The New York City Council
has passed, and will pass again, a Home Rule Message asking the
state legislature to repeal the Urstadt Law. There are bills in
the state legislature which would repeal the Urstadt law (S1673/A4069
Liz Krueger/Vito
Lopez et al), but the Republican (and real estate) controlled
Senate will not pass the bill. What do we need to get this bill
passed? A campaign on the State Senate (see our
Real Rent Reform Campaign) and pressure on Mayor Michael
Bloomberg (who does not support home rule).
Will this ever happen?
Sooner than
you think! While the Democratic majority in the state assembly has
passed a bill to restore home rule to the city every session, the
pro-landlord Republican majority has killed it in the state
senate. Things are changing in Albany, though -- in 2008
the Democrats won a two seat majority in the Senate.
After 40 years of Republican control, tenants now have a chance
to push the Democrats to repeal the Urstadt Law and enact strong
tenant legislation.
To get involved in the Home Rule campaign,
contact Met Council
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