Frustrated residents and members of the Amalgamated Cooperators United Union gathered outside the Amalgamated Housing Co-op after being notified of a 45% increase to their rent in Kingsbridge Heights.

Members of the cooperative, which includes 13 Tudor-style buildings, have been facing a striking rise in their rent due to maintenance fees, leaving many fearful for the future of their housing.

“Not everybody has $1,000 in the bank just to spend on anything…We are living from check to check," said Eva Adorno, a senior tenant.

She echoes a sentiment felt by many, as residents we're left in a state of confusion after receiving the rent increase alert this past June, leaving residents only a 30-day advance notice.

Those unable to meet the requirements face penalties such as a $35 penalty for carrying charge payments received after the 10th of the month, in addition to falling out of "good-standing" and losing out on benefits like access the building gym, parking and potentially eviction.

Residents and cooperative committee members like Edgar Pantoja, say they have had enough. They put together a petition to request that the president or secretary of the Board For Amalgamated Housing call for a special meeting to be held before the end of August to being stability back to the community.

"Thirty days is not enough time," says Pantoja. "So, we're asking for the board to give us at least until the end of the year so that we can figure out how we can pay this fee.”

News 12 reached out to Jack Spiegel, president of the Board for Amalgamated Housing, who stated that in compliance with New York State Homes and Community Renewal, they we're told they "needed to give a 30-day notification, which [they] did" and while they "feel for the cooperators who are finding this hard…there are no options, it's either pay or not pay."

Spiegel also states that residents who read the board meeting highlights regularly, we're notified about the potential 45% increase in Oct. 2023.

The hike impacts families on a fixed budget who can't meet the requirement, and view this change as a threat to the community and the welfare of its inhabitants.

According to Spiegel, it is possible that the board eliminate some late fees as long "as there is a time and place later on down the road for people to catch up."

Additionally, seniors are encouraged to apply for SCRIE and DRIE as a part of the New York City rent freeze program to help assist with costs.