Mayor Courts Tenants & Hispanics

BY JHERELLE BENN & DAWN ELIGIO

Mayor Bill de Blasio had his hands full on Thursday as he attempted to satisfy the needs of both the Hispanic community and local tenants when he attended a closed meeting with the Hispanic Federation followed by a press conference at Melrose housing in the Bronx where he signed legislation to curb harassment by landlords.

Political observers saw both moves as attempts to mend fences with local Hispanic leaders who recently have griped about the lack of Latino representation in the administration.

The mayor has been working closely with Governor Cuomo for months to provide protections for tenants against “unscrupulous” landlords who engage in harassment and other ruthless practices. Together they formed the TPU – Tenant Protection Unit, to investigate and act against criminal landlords who reportedly shut off hot water, break door locks, offer financial incentives to move out, or bang on tenant’s doors late at night.

Among the measures announced was the prevision for free legal services for tenants fighting landlord harassment.

“No room in our city for such ruthless tactics,” said de Blasio at the housing development occupied by many Hispanic residents. “We will not tolerate this.”

The actions came against the backdrop of recent complaints by some Hispanic leaders that de Blasio has failed to appoint enough Hispanics to top posts in his administration.

A Quinnipiac University Poll released this month revealed that about 48 percent of Hispanic voters approved of Mr. De Blasio and 49 percent say they would back his re-election. This represented a big decrease from the 87 percent of Hispanic voters that Mr. De Blasio captured in his 2013 election.

Hispanic community leaders who were once enthusiastic about the 26 percent of Latinos appointed to the administration, now express their disappointment as another high profile Latina announced her resignation.

The recent announcement of the resignation of Lilliam Barrios-Paoli, Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services was seen by political observers as further damaging the mayor’s standing with the Hispanic community.

The City Hall meeting with the federation leaders was closed to the press.