Welcoming the new RGB tenant representative: Harvey Epstein

We are very excited to welcome the newest addition to the Rent Guidelines Board: Tenant Representative Harvey Epstein. Mr. Epstein is widely respected in his field as a thoughtful, strategic and passionate advocate for New York City tenants and low wage workers. In a profile of his career thus far, the New York Times described him as “a lawyer for the dispossessed.” He is the Associate Director of the Urban Justice Center, and Director of their Community Development Project, which provides legal, research and technical support to grassroots organizations throughout the city. (An excellent example of their work is a recently released report, created in conjunction with Bronx housing advocates CASA, entitled “Tipping the Scales: A Report of Tenant Experiences in Bronx Housing Court.”) Before joining the Urban Justice Center, he worked at Housing Conservation Coordinators, The Legal Aid Society, and Queens Legal Services. We look forward to Mr. Epstein’s active participation on the Rent Guidelines Board, starting at tomorrow morning’s Public Meeting!

We would also like to take this opportunity to once again thank Adriene Holder, the longest serving tenant representative in RGB history, who stepped down from the Board this year. Ms. Holder’s work on the board was exemplary, and her commitment to tenants is unending. We look forward to continuing to work with her in her ongoing role as Attorney-in-Charge at the Legal Aid Society’s Civil Practice.