REPORTAGE
In the United States, the country most affected by the coronavirus pandemic, the economic crisis threatens to turn into a housing crisis. While more than 30 million people have registered as unemployed since mid-March, more Americans can no longer pay their rent. In New York, the most expensive city in the country, thousands of tenants have launched “a rent strike” and are calling for a freeze on payments.
Dylan, a Frenchman living in the Big Apple, lives in a shared apartment with two Americans. Last month, when their landlord knocked on the door to claim his rent, they told him they couldn’t pay. “My rent is $ 900. Since I’ve lost most of my income, I only have about $ 200 a month left. So for now, paying my rent isn’t really possible. , because I prefer to buy myself food, quite simply “, explains Dylan at the microphone of Europe 1.
“We don’t have as much social assistance as in France”
Dylan worked in the nightlife, but all the clubs have closed. John has seen his working hours reduced in his animal hospital. And the third roommate, Stephen, a dog walker, doesn’t have many customers. “In the United States, we do not have as much social assistance as in France. When we lose our job, we are a little left to ourselves,” says Dylan. “Here, since most of the people in this building have no work, no income at the moment, we have decided to organize a rent strike.”
Advocated by thousands of New Yorkers, this “rent strike” is on a scale never seen since the economic crisis of 1929. But some owners are understanding, like Mario Salerno, who manages his little corner of Brooklyn, with his garage and its buildings. He says he gave his 250 tenants a month, “otherwise many would have become homeless.” And to conclude: “This is New York”. But this solution is not viable in the long term, which is why owners and tenants are asking the mayor and the governor to find a solution.
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