More On Harlem Real Estate

Brother Charlie Rangel, bless him, is renting not one, not two, not three... but four rent-stabilized apartments in one uptown building, for a fraction of what they would normally cost on the market. According to the Times:

Mr. Rangel, who was first elected to Congress in 1970 and is one of the city’s most recognizable elected officials, has written and spoken extensively about his devotion to his home in Harlem, but does not appear to have ever publicly acknowledged that he has been permitted to lease four rent-stabilized apartments there. According to a public records database and interviews with neighbors, he has lived in the building since the early 1970s, but it is not clear when he amassed the four units.

Mr. Rangel, 78, declined to answer questions during a telephone interview, saying that his housing was a private matter that did not affect his representation of his constituents.

“Why should I help you embarrass me?” he said, before abruptly hanging up.

I love it. Although, this is really just another case of the rich and powerful getting things for cheap, while the people who could really use a rent-stabilized place are getting the shaft. Ah, capitalism. Rangel, who did a lot of good back in the day, is old and comfortable, and I guess he feels like he's getting his due.

But then again, His Awesomeness, NY Governor David Paterson, also has a rent-stabilized apartment in that building. And so does his dad, who pays less in rent for a one-bedroom than I do. I think I'm mad.

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