Freeze Rents and House New Yorkers
New York City renters are facing a housing affordability crisis. Market-rate rents have hit record highs, and even the roughly one million apartments covered by rent stabilization are subject to annual increases set by the NYC Rent Guidelines Board (RGB). At its most recent vote (Order #57, covering leases from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026), the RGB approved increases of 1.5% for one-year leases and 2.5% for two-year leases — continuing a pattern of rising costs that strains working- and middle-class households across the five boroughs.
Advocates and fiscal policy experts argue that meaningful affordability requires both price stabilization and expanded housing supply. At the local level, constituents are urging the NYC Rent Guidelines Board to adopt a rent freeze or the strictest possible stabilization caps at its next annual vote. At the state level, Albany legislators can strengthen tenant protections through measures like the Rent Emergency Stabilization (REST) Act, which would extend rent stabilization to communities across New York State, and by enacting policies that accelerate the construction of new affordable housing units.
The ask is twofold: (1) pressure the NYC Rent Guidelines Board — whose members are appointed by the Mayor — to vote for a rent freeze or near-zero cap at the next annual proceeding; and (2) urge New York State legislators to pass stronger statewide rent stabilization legislation and pro-housing supply measures to address the root causes of the affordability crisis.
View Call Scripts
Live Call Script
Hello, I am an assistant calling on behalf of a constituent, {{first_name}} {{last_name}} from {{city}}, {{state}} zip code {{zip_code}}. The constituent is calling to urge {{representative_name}} to take immediate action on New York's rent affordability crisis. At the state level, they are asking {{representative_name}} to support and advance the Rent Emergency Stabilization (REST) Act, which would extend rent stabilization protections to communities across New York State, and to champion legislation that expands the supply of affordable housing. At the city level, they are asking {{representative_name}} to use every available avenue of influence — including direct pressure on the Mayor's office — to ensure the NYC Rent Guidelines Board votes for a rent freeze or the lowest possible rent increase cap at its next annual proceeding. With market-rate rents at record highs and even stabilized tenants facing compounding annual increases, New Yorkers need their elected officials to act decisively. The constituent respectfully requests that {{representative_name}} take a public position in support of a rent freeze and stronger statewide stabilization law, and communicate any steps they plan to take on this issue.
Voicemail Version
I am calling on behalf of {{first_name}} {{last_name}}, a constituent from {{city}}, {{state}} {{zip_code}}. The constituent is calling to urge {{representative_name}} to support a rent freeze or the strictest possible rent stabilization caps at the NYC Rent Guidelines Board's next annual vote, and to advance the Rent Emergency Stabilization (REST) Act and pro-housing supply legislation in Albany. With rents at record highs, New Yorkers need immediate relief and long-term structural reform. The constituent respectfully requests a response outlining {{representative_name}}'s position and planned actions on this issue. You may contact me at {{phone_number}} to discuss further.