Citing Catholic Faith, New York Landlord Waives Rent During Coronavirus

National Catholic Register ^ | 6 April 2020 | alyssa murphy

[Cronos]

Catholic business owner and landlord Mario Salerno allows his 200 residents to live rent-free for the entire month of April, citing his faith and concern for their well-being.

New York state has been hit the hardest by the coronavirus pandemic. Hospitals are overrun with patients being treated by the virus and many residents within the five boroughs are being laid off or losing their jobs altogether. This news led one landlord to do something about it, crediting his Catholic faith for his decision.

After hearing some of his tenants were worried about being able to pay rent over notices of layoffs or being let go from their jobs, on the morning of March 30, Mario Salerno posted a notice on the front doors of all of his buildings announcing, “Due to the recent pandemic of Coronavirus COVID-19 affecting all of us, please note I am waiving rent for the month for April.”

[Cronos]

Bless him

Watch the full interview here: 

[Buckeye McFrog]

Done voluntarily this is a beautiful and generous thing.

With Bill deBlasio holding a gun to your head, not so much.

[Rockingham]

In a much smaller way, my tough as nails and staunchly Catholic grandfather also used to help his tenants. Even years after his death, I would meet people who had benefitted from his kindness.

[Socon-Econ]

The landlord has money to spare and is willing to spare it, may God bless him for it. My bet is that he’s also smart enough to know that eviction won’t work when everyone is out of a job and landlords are viewed as class enemies.

[zeugma]

Done voluntarily this is a beautiful and generous thing.

With Bill deBlasio holding a gun to your head, not so much.

Absolutely agreed on both counts. If the man can weather the income loss, then God bless his generosity in a time of trouble.

[moovova]

I’m sure New York will still demand taxes on the amount he would’ve collected.