Jamie Towers residents rally against increased rent, citing unsanitary conditions
Council Member Amanda Farias and other local leaders sent a letter demanding the state to reconsider the increase, which would raise rent by nearly $865 for a three-bedroom space.
Residents who live at Jamie Towers in Castle Hill marched from their homes to their local council members office on Monday after they received notice that their maintenance fees will be increased by 49% on May 1st.
"It is dilapidated, it is falling apart, we are not able to drink or use the water because it is brown, we have no security, we are not able to use the elevators because they are down, our pools are broke, and they want 49 percent? we say no!" said Maxine Breeden.
Jamie Towers is a cooperative building, with 620 units. The building is apart of the state and city Mitchell-Lama program, that provides affordable housing to moderate and middle income families. It is managed by Maxwell-Kates INC, that took over management in May 2023. The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal provides oversight.
Council Member Amanda Farias notified shareholders that she along with several other local and state leaders, including Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson sent a letter to DHEC, Governor Hochul and The State Attorney General demanding they reconsider this increase, calling it unequivocally unacceptable.
"Our local homeowners can not afford, nor should they have been asked to have this level of increase," said Farias.
Phyllis Gray, a shareholder of 45 years, said a majority of her neighbors are retired seniors and this is not the first increase they have seen.
"We are on a fixed income, there's no more money coming in how do we survive," Gray said.
News 12 has reached out to the New York state Divison of Housing and Community Renweal and they are working on the request.
News 12's call to Jamie Towers management has not yet been returned.
