With a little help, private landlords can do it
Staten Island: Re “Nonprofits can help deliver an affordable city” (op-ed, Dec. 9): With the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act’s latest revision, it seems that COPA applies only to buildings with significant physical or financial problems or that have affordable housing program requirements expiring. This is the next step by NYC on the hostile takeover of the true and only affordable housing in NYC: rent-stabilized apartments.
Let’s not forget why rent-stabilized buildings have significant physical or financial problems. Every year, the Rent Guidelines Board is required by law to provide a fair rent increase based on economics to properly maintain the property, but every year, rent-stabilized properties are used as a punching bag and go on the chopping block. Adding to the problem is the passage of the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 and eviction moratorium still existing in NYC. What happened to the original intention of rent stabilization: to provide affordable housing, maintain it and make a reasonable profit? Comparison: It costs the government $2,295 a month to maintain and manage a NYCHA apartment, and NYCHA doesn’t pay real estate taxes or mortgages. The average rent for a rent-stabilized apartment in NYC is $1,477.
For nonprofit organizations to purchase distressed properties, they need considerable funding from the government. Why can’t the city work with landlords and provide financial assistance to avoid tenants living in undesirable conditions? Keep affordable housing in the hands of owners who know their job and keep expenses low. Why are rent-stabilized apartments the only privately owned business in NYC required by law to provide financial assistance to NYC renters, including well-off and rich tenants? Vincent Ragosta
Tentative housing
Merrick, L.I.: So, Zohran Mamdani will order the NYPD, Sanitation and Health Departments to leave the homeless encampments alone. He believes the tent cities should not be removed from streets and parks because it would be “cruel.” Well, we finally have a look at the Mamdani plan for affordable housing. He will provide tents in all five boroughs in city parks and other areas. The city will set up the tents, adding portable restrooms and showers and some electric hookups, at far less cost than trying to pay landlords for apartments and spending millions to build new buildings. “Tenants” may show up at any time, with no rules about anything. It looks like Mamdani has found a way to keep at least one promise: Mamdanivilles, much like the Hoovervilles of the 1930s. Michael Apo
Strange fixation
Bronx: What is this obsession of the Daily News Editorial Board with Mamdani? In my 70 years residing in New York City, I’ve never noticed such vitriol from your board against a new mayor. Give the political rookie a chance to prove himself. Virgilio Carballo
Farewell to fur
Pleasantville, N.Y.: I was glad to see the published letter of Voicer James Scotto regarding the “MUTTS” cartoon depicting the cat’s horror upon seeing a woman wearing what they thought was a fur coat. The woman declares that it’s faux fur and then they hug! It’s great that you feature “MUTTS,” which blends its talent with compassion. And very good news in just the past two weeks: New York Fashion Week announced they will prohibit fur, and Poland passed a law to end fur farming (it was the second-largest producer in the world). Elisabeth Alderman
Sticking with tradition
Hubertus, Wis.: The U.S. Mint released images of the new 2026 circulating coins celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States. After looking at the various proposals and submissions, the Mint wisely kept to the visions of our Founding Fathers and did not cave into the divisive woke designs of today. I’m sure that most will be proud of our new coinage about to appear in your pocket change. To the woke crowd: Don’t worry, I’m sure the Mint will make special commemorative coins to cater to your leftist desires and soothe your ruffled feathers. Robert W. Lobenstein
Keep your cause off Santa
Woodcliff Lake, N.J.: To Voicer Eric C. Lindstrom: Can you tree-hugging climate change freaks leave anything alone? Even Christmas? You distort and twist even a fairytale into some activist nonsense that nobody wants to hear! Go eat the cookies yourself, and I hope Santa flies over your house and forgets all about you! Kathie Renken
Snubbed but not forgotten
Astoria: There was a time when the Yankees were in a playoff drought and their fans had only one thing to cheer for. The ovations were for Don Mattingly. “Donnie Baseball” could do no wrong. He hit, hit for power, was a defensive whiz and a team leader who was tagged captain. Mattingly was a future Hall of Famer to everyone who had his “Hit Man” poster taped on their wall. He was bypassed from being elected into Cooperstown by the writers and now the Veterans Committee. Mattingly joins another ex-captain in Thurman Munson, who had the same results. For us New Yorkers, Mattingly and Munson are our Hall of Famers. Even though they’re not enshrined, we fans who witnessed them saw their pure greatness. We will hold on to the memories forever, unlike the Veterans Committee, which dropped the ball. Aris Sakellaridis
No big deal
Yonkers: The Daily News certainly got carried away with the departure of Pete Alonso from the Mets to the Orioles. The signing was accorded front and back pages, plus two in the sports section. Given all that’s happening in New York and around the world, this is hardly the most important. These professional athletes have no allegiance to fans; their allegiance is to the mighty dollar. It’s time that deluded fans woke up and smelled the coffee. Let him go and goodbye. Enough already. Frank Brady
Not worth it?
White Plains, N.Y.: The owner of the Mets, Steve Cohen, is a multi-billionaire, one of the wealthiest individuals in the U.S. Yet, he lost closer Edwin Diaz and first baseman Alonso over mere millions. Perhaps Uncle Stevie is more interested in his casino license now than the future of the Mets. Randi Bernstein Feigenbaum
No love
Indian Harbour Beach, Fla.: Hey Pete, you took the money for your family, as all free-agent ballplayers say. What about your Mets family? John T. O’Connell
Fumbled ballplayers
Brookfield, Conn.: Let’s see if I have this straight. First, David Stearns trades Brandon Nimmo for a 35-year-old infielder, then lets the majors’ best closer and the Mets’ all-time home-run hitter walk away. Then he says, “We’ve got all the resources we need to put a really good team on the field.” Who is Stearns kidding? It’s time to send him back to Cabbageville where he came from and get someone in there who’s not afraid to spend money to keep good players. Bob Lovell
Nice heist
Staten Island: The recent seizure of the Venezuelan oil tanker named The Skipper was captured with 1.8 million barrels of crude oil worth approximately $95 million. The tanker was falsely flying Guyana’s flag to circumvent being captured, as Guyana can legally transport crude. The oil is now under U.S. control. The United States can and probably will sell the product or auction it off, as we are allowed to keep the revenue or the product. The president has final control over the oil. He sets the policy and has authorization over its disposal. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control oversees and administers his decisions and keeps the data pertaining to the outcome of the distribution and/or sale of the product. We can only hope that he earmarks this unexpected windfall and the money is used for the benefit of the U.S. Myra B. Goodman
Self-incriminating
Manhattan: It’s ironic that President Trump derisively refers to Joe Biden as Sleepy Joe when he can clearly be described these days as Dozing Don. I guess it takes one to know one. Chana Schwartz
