New York City Mayor Eric Adams has made fresh appointments to the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB), naming Doug Apple as chair while welcoming Reed Jordan and Alex Armlovich as new members. According to a press release by the Mayor's Office, these appointments are part of Adams' effort to maintain affordable housing for the city's working-class families. Doug Apple, notably with a background in supportive and transitional housing, and Alex Armlovich, showing an empathetic attitude towards rent-stabilized tenants from his personal experience, are expected to harness their extensive knowledge in urban economics and government operations.
Mayor Adams has been vocal about tackling the housing crisis, investing in new housing while shielding renters from unreasonable price hikes. “My appointees to the Rent Guidelines Board bring decades of experience in housing and urban planning across the government, nonprofit, and private sectors. Together, we remain focused on one singular mission: ensuring New York City remains an affordable place for working-class families. Our administration will continue to build housing at a record pace, hold bad, predatory actors accountable, and fight on behalf of tenants,” Adams said, as he welcomed his new team. Apple, taking the leadership reins, acknowledged the gravity of his role. He stated, “Rent stabilized housing is an essential part of the New York City housing market, and its preservation requires delicately balancing tenant affordability while ensuring buildings have sufficient income to support operations,” as outlined in the Mayor's Office announcement.
Last year, the Adams administration made moves to enforce regulations against landlords not properly maintaining their properties, resulting in over $4 million in penalties and the appointment of a 7A administrator to operate some buildings. Moreover, investments have been made to confront Source of Income discrimination by allocating $2.3 million towards cracking down on unjust landlord practices, which discourage tenants using housing assistance vouchers from being able to rent. Promising to further support affordable housing, Mayor Adams and the New York City Economic Development Corporation disclosed a new vision for Coney Island, planning to build 1,500 new homes in the iconic area.
The RGB's remit is to scrutinize building economics and tenant rent burdens to regulate the city’s rent-stabilized housing, and the new appointments come with high praise. Reed Jordan, recognized for his ability to listen and carefully analyze housing policy, “He is dedicated to New York City’s families and creating bright futures for the city’s youth, and I know that the city will benefit from his public service in this crucial role,” according to Justin Steil, MIT Associate Professor of Law and Urban Planning. In a statement obtained by the Mayor's Office, former Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been commented on Armlovich, "He brings incredible knowledge about the city’s housing stock, a deep understanding of housing policy, and a fair, objective, and rigorous approach to finding practical solutions to the vexing problem of ensuring that housing is available and affordable to all New Yorkers."
