On Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, dozens of 1199SEIU members headed to Albany to rally with some 200 New York City tenants to push for vital rent reforms that would restore some housing protections and make the city more affordable. They were joined by many of their Union brothers and sisters who were in the Capital for the annual Black and Puerto Rican/Hispanic Legislative Caucus weekend.Angelika Kogan, a home attendant with Rockaway Homecare in Queens, NY was among those who rode the bus to the rally. New York City’s housing situation is at a crisis point for working people, said Kogan.

“It’s xo expensive. We want to make sure these bills that protect people are signed,” she said. “Immigrants com here and they have to sleep several to a room. I met a woman who has to share her apartment with several a people just to afford it. Shelter is a basic need along with food and clothing. No one should have to worry about where they’re going to live.”