Strasburg not expecting change in rent fight

The New York Observer spoke to Joseph Strasburg, president of the Rent Stabilization Association of New York, who advocates for landlords with the city and state legislatures. Strasburg said that if the vacancy decontrol issue had actually been brought before the New York State Senate, there would not have been enough votes to pass. Housing advocates had worried that Republican control of the senate would make it difficult to pass new housing legislation. The legislation may come up again next year, Strasburg said, but he does not expect sweeping changes to be made. The Rent Stabilization Association advocates a slow turnover of stabilized apartments to market-rate, rather than a wholesale switch, Strasburg said. The city’s Rent Guidelines Board approved rent increases in late June.