As it turns out, the public monument Rep. Rangel is dedicating to himself merely supplements the rent controlled private monument he currently resides in courtesy of the public dole. His family home consists of three rent-controlled apartments with “custom moldings and dramatic archways, [and] is decorated with Benin Bronze statues and antique carved walnut Italian chairs.” He pays $3,290 for the four bedroom apartment. Don’t pity him though. The cramped conditions have been alleviated by his acquisition of a fourth rent controlled apartment on a separate floor of the same building, which he uses as an office. Rangel is in good company. As it turns out, Gov. David Patterson also has a rent-controlled place in the same building. Though this might come as a shock, neighbors of the politically connected set insist management subjects their compliance with rent stabilization laws to a more stringent standard.
Rangel has agreed to relinquish the apartment on a lower floor that he used as a campaign office. Never mind this might amount to an illegal campaign contribution. There is an affordable housing crisis, and Rep. Rangel wants to do his part.
