Mayor Adams appoints new leadership to rent guidelines board, reinforces commitment to affordable housing

File Source: Google

Mayor Eric Adams today announced new appointments to the Rent Guidelines Board, naming Doug Apple as the board’s chair and appointing Reed Jordan and Alex Armlovich as new members.

The selections align with the Adams administration’s ongoing efforts to protect and expand affordable housing for working-class New Yorkers while ensuring the city’s rent-stabilized housing stock remains sustainable.

“To address the housing crisis head-on, we must invest in creating new, affordable housing, while protecting renters from being priced out of our city,” Adams said. “My appointees to the Rent Guidelines Board bring decades of experience in housing and urban planning across the government, nonprofit, and private sectors. Together, we remain focused on one singular mission: ensuring New York City remains an affordable place for working-class families. Our administration will continue to build housing at a record pace, hold bad, predatory actors accountable, and fight on behalf of tenants.”

Apple, a veteran in housing policy and real estate, emphasized the board’s responsibility in balancing the needs of both tenants and building owners. “Rent-stabilized housing is an essential part of the New York City housing market, and its preservation requires delicately balancing tenant affordability while ensuring buildings have sufficient income to support operations,” Apple said. “I thank Mayor Adams for entrusting me with this responsibility and look forward to working closely with my fellow board members to carry out the Rent Guidelines Board’s mission.”

Jordan, a housing policy expert with a background in community development, expressed his commitment to affordability and fairness. “Throughout my career, I have been committed to ensuring that New York City remains affordable and fair for all,” he said. “I am honored to serve as a public member of the Rent Guidelines Board. I look forward to collaborating with the entire Board to thoroughly analyze the data and gather robust public input in order to make informed decisions that affect New Yorkers across all five boroughs.”

Armlovich, an experienced housing policy analyst and former rent-stabilized tenant, highlighted the importance of secure tenancy. “I know how much secure tenancy matters — not just financially, but emotionally, for my neighbors and friends in stabilized homes,” he said. “Having read the RGB’s excellent staff reports for over a decade in my housing policy research career, I’m excited and honored to now work with the Board directly. I plan to follow the data while keeping the lived experience of New Yorkers in mind to serve all stakeholders and ensure a bright future for rent-stabilized housing.”

The appointments come as the Adams administration continues its aggressive approach to addressing New York’s housing crisis. Last year, Adams launched the Tenant Protection Cabinet, an interagency initiative aimed at coordinating tenant-focused programs and services while cracking down on negligent landlords. The administration has also secured over $4 million in penalties against landlords failing to maintain their properties and taken legal action to protect tenants’ rights.

Additionally, Adams has ramped up investment in affordable housing, with the city’s 10-year capital plan now allocating $24.5 billion to housing. The mayor has championed the construction of new housing developments, including the largest 100 percent affordable housing project in 40 years at Willets Point and the ambitious “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” plan, which aims to build 80,000 new homes over the next 15 years.

Housing experts and advocates praised the appointments, citing the new members’ experience and dedication. “Doug Apple’s leadership and commitment to data-driven decision-making will be essential in upholding the Rent Guidelines Board’s mandate during a critical time,” said Matt Murphy, executive director of the NYU Furman Center.

Former Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been also endorsed the appointments. “Alex Armlovich is an outstanding pick for the Rent Guidelines Board,” she said. “He brings incredible knowledge about the city’s housing stock, a deep understanding of housing policy, and a fair, objective, and rigorous approach to finding practical solutions to the vexing problem of ensuring that housing is available and affordable to all New Yorkers.”

With these appointments, the Adams administration reaffirms its commitment to tackling New York’s housing affordability crisis, balancing the needs of tenants and property owners, and ensuring rent-stabilized housing remains a vital part of the city’s future.