For the third time, five RSA members, Constance Nugent-Miller, Peter Petrov, Tringh Eng, Albert Corion and Monique Casablanca, participated in a month-long advertising campaign that aired on 880 CBS and WINS 1010 radio. All five RSA members recorded 30 second commercials that explained what it’s really like to be a small property owner in New York City.
This round of advertisements focused on a new proposal in Albany to freeze rents for low income tenants while providing tax breaks to owners, similar to the SCRIE program. The ads will finish running at the end of February when the State Senate and Assembly will begin debating the budget.
Monique Casablanca works 15-16 hours a day taking care of her buildings in the Bronx. “My real estate taxes pay for police, fire, sanitation and other essential services. I hire people from the neighborhood – painters, plumbers, electricians-- to maintain my buildings,” said Ms. Casablanca.
Peter Petrov owns a small apartment building located in the northeast Bronx that has been in his family for 30 years. In fact, his mother still lives there. “My tenants know they can call me on my cell phone whenever they have a problem.,” explained Mr. Petrov.
Trinh Eng of Brooklyn explained that as the owner of her sixteen-family building in Prospect Heights, she contributes like many small owners saying that, “thousands of small building owners just like me are the economic engine fueling the city and state economy.”
Albert Corion is a retired truck driver living in Brooklyn. “I provide affordable rental housing to 41 families in two small buildings in Flatbush that my family has owned for 30 years,” said Mr. Corion.
Constance Nugent-Miller owns a small apartment building in Brooklyn. She also works two jobs and uses her second income as a nurse to pay fuel bills and make repairs. “I provide affordable rental housing to six families in a small building in Crown Heights that my family has owned for 50 years,” explained Ms. Nugent-Miller.
These five RSA members told their personal stories, and as a result, the property owners’ point of view was finally heard. RSA has been keeping you up to date on the latest political developments but it is critical for property owners to take a proactive approach going forward. If you are interested in participating in a media campaign in the future similar to this one, call or e-mail Jacky Monterosso at 212-214-9235 or jmonterosso@rsanyc.org.
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