Rochdale Village Residents and Southeast Queens Leaders Rally in Albany Against Housing Cost Hike

Albany, NY — Two busloads of passionate Southeast Queens residents from Rochdale Village, joined by local elected officials and advocates, traveled to the New York State Capitol on Tuesday to demand urgent legislative and budgetary action to save Rochdale Village—a Mitchell-Lama community now facing a crushing 57% increase in carrying charges.

“This must not stand,” said State Senator James Sanders Jr. of the 10th Senate District. “I wish that I could say they were just tourists coming to visit the State Capitol—but no, what has brought them together is that number: 57. Fifty-seven. A 57 percent increase in carrying charges, which means basically, in layman's terms, that your rent has went up 57 percent. That means we have made one of the most premier places in America unaffordable. On a personal level, I have not come to Albany to lose. I did not come here to lose Rochdale. I’m messed up and I’m mad. As I see the Governor there in the back, I want to mention that we must do something about this. These people are too good of a people to have out in the street. We are not going to see that happen.”

The day began with Senator Sanders addressing residents in his Albany office. By 1:00 PM, the group gathered at the Million Dollar Staircase for a press conference featuring Senator Sanders, Jean Hall, President of Rochdale Village Board of Directors; Jean Randolph-Castro, Chair of the Community Relations Committee; Kamal Saleem, Treasurer; and Ty Hankerson, Chief of Staff to Speaker Adrienne Adams.

Following the press conference, advocacy teams held meetings with the Governor’s Office, Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), Attorney General Letitia James, and other Southeast Queens elected officials to speak directly on the urgent need for relief and legislative support. Conversations focused on the devastating financial burden residents face due to post-COVID supply inflation and skyrocketing insurance premiums. Over 1,500 units will not see any relief until the next fiscal year—an unacceptable timeline for a community built on working-class and senior residents.

“Our trip to Albany was powerful and purposeful". said Board President Jean Hall, "Standing with Rochdale shareholders to fight a 57% carrying charge increase was both urgent and inspiring. This hike, driven by a 180% rise in insurance, inflated repair costs, and $27 million in mandated façade work is simply unsustainable. We’re a working-class, middle-income community, and this burden cannot fall on seniors, single parents, and public servants. I deeply appreciate Senator Sanders for being a lifeline in this fight.” 

“I am devastated,” said Jean Randolph-Castro, speaking on behalf of Rochdale seniors. “I’m a senior and I’m speaking for most of the seniors. Rochdale Village is at the worst that I’ve ever seen in the last 40 years with this 57% increase. 57 percent is too much, I don’t care if you make $100,000. Speaking for the seniors, we are on a fixed income, and this is too much!”

Senator Sanders continues to push multiple efforts to ease the burden on residents. He has formally requested NYC DEP waive the interest on Rochdale’s $14 million water debt, and last year secured $2 million in capital funding to replace aging roofs at the complex. He is also sponsoring and co-sponsoring several legislative bills to protect Mitchell-Lama housing across the state.

The Senator concluded, “We had a pretty successful day yesterday with Rochdale Village residents. But the fight is far from over—we need a great solution, not just a good one, to keep Rochdale affordable and thriving for the generations to come.”

For more information or to request a quote or interview from Senator Sanders please reach out to Joshua Green at jgreen@nysenate.gov or call 718-523-3069

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