Future Of TPU Funding Unclear At Budget Hearing (UPDATED)

At a budget hearing on housing Thursday, state Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner Darryl Towns repeatedly dodged questions about future funding for the Tenant Protection Unit (TPU) in this year’s budget.

The TPU was created in 2011 by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to address concerns about the lack of enforcement of the rent laws, as well as other complaints about inferior maintenance and harassment at rent-stabilized buildings. The unit has 25 employees today and reportedly has returned 37,000 units back under the rent laws, reversing a downward trend from previous years.

When pressed by Assemblyman Keith Wright during the hearing, Towns would not confirm that there would be an increase in funding for the TPU in this year’s budget—or if there was any funding allotted for the TPU at all. The TPU is part of the Office of Rent Administration and would be financed through that agency, which did receive an $8 million increase in this year’s budget. Towns did tell Wright he would provide the amount allotted for the TPU at a later date.

“I would like that number ... and would scream it from the mountaintops,” Wright said.

As City & State reported in December, the TPU has been a controversial entity during its short lifespan, with the Rent Stabilization Association challenging its creation in court. Mitch Posilkin, RSA's general counsel, said that since the state Senate has never voted to fund the TPU, it should not be allowed to continue its work. Their case is set to go to trial in April.