The Journal. · Sunday, September 27, 2026
Housing experts Emily Issener and Kenny Bergos presented contrasting views on New York City's housing market at a live event. Issener highlighted the increasing rent burden on tenants, with over 50% paying more than 30% of their income on housing. Bergos, representing landlords, described a scenario of high distress within the rent-stabilized housing stock.
“And it's really squeezing people's incomes and budgets, um, such that now renters about over 50% of renters are paying over 30% of their incomes in their housing costs, and something like 30% of renters are paying more than 50% of their incomes in housing costs.”
“I would say right now, we have a scenario where especially in recent times, we have a high level of distress happening, particularly in the rent stabilized housing stock.”
“So that tells you everyone is unhappy, clearly something has to be fixed here.”