Residents living in rent-stabilized apartments in Westchester can expect to see a rent hike this fall.

Stephanie Coleman says it is a juggling act to keep up with the increase in her rent every two years.
For the past 25 years, Coleman has lived in a rent-stabilized building on Riverdale Avenue in Yonkers.

Starting in October, when they renew their leases, tenants who live in rent-stabilized apartments in Westchester can expect to see a rent increase. The Westchester Rent Guidelines Board approved a 1.75% hike on one-year leases, and a 2.75% increase on two-year leases.

Emma-Jean Loftin-Woods recently resigned from the Rent Guidelines Board after 16 years. The local board, which falls under the state's Homes, Community Renewal Agency, is made up of landlord reps, tenant reps and public members.

"For the people that this increase is going to impact their finances, I get it," she says. "But I also get the owners need some kind of increases to continue to run their buildings."

Unlike their counterparts in Westchester, people who live in rent-stabilized apartments in Rockland will not see a rent hike. Rents were frozen after landlords reportedly failed to show up during public hearings.