NEW YORK, NY April 25, 2007 —A law aimed at protecting tenants in the Mitchell-Lama affordable housing program has been struck down by a New York Supreme Court judge. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports.

The law required landlords looking to leave Mitchell Lama to first offer to sell their building to tenants. Tens of thousands of low and moderate income New Yorkers live in Mitchell Lama Housing. The program gives landlords subsidies and in return rents must stay low. But when owners decide to leave the program and sell their buildings or turn their apartments market rate, tenants worry they will get priced out.

A state judge rejected the law, saying it was inconsistent with state and federal regulations. It was passed in 2005 over the mayor's veto and the Real Estate Board of New York sued the city council to stop it. The law has never been enforced. For WNYC, I'm Cindy Rodriguez.

A bill requiring former Mitchell Lama apartments to become rent stabilized is pending in Albany. The Bloomberg administration supports it.