Capitol Crossing Landlord Breaks Agreement On Rent Hikes

The tenants at Capitol Crossings (formerly Bleecker Terrace) in Albany, a 279-unit development that has historically housed low-income and subsidized families, won major concessions last summer from the new corporate owners that would keep rents stable and protect tenants from unjust evictions, including limiting rent increases to 5% and guaranteeing lease renewals to any tenant in good standing. Now the landlord said there really wasn't any agreement and is seeking major rent hikes for long-term tenants as the NJ firm does major renovations in apartments where tenants have departed. Laurie Buitrago of the Tenants Association discusses the situation with Mark Dunlea of Hudson Mohawk Magazine.