Brooklyn Landlord Waives Rent So Hundreds Of Residents Can Afford Food

Apr 14, 2020 by apost team

As our extended lockdown carries on, more heartwarming stories continue to emerge that prove how kind humanity can be. In New York City, a Brooklyn landlord, 59-year-old Mario Salerno, has waived rent for the month of April for the nearly 80 apartments that he owns, allowing 200 tenants to be able to afford food for the month. Mr. Salerno explained he made the decision so that people could focus on their health and their families and not on paying rent –– if only there were more people like Mr. Salerno in the world!

The roughly 80 apartments are spread across Williamsburg and Greenpoint in Brooklyn. After hearing that many renters would have trouble paying for the month, due to losing their jobs and other financial troubles, Mr. Salerno decided to waive the month of April for every tenant.

He posted a sign to the front door of the 18 apartment buildings he owns, that stated: "Due to the recent pandemic of COVID-19 affecting all of us, please note I am waiving rent for the month of April 2020." The incredible gesture has no doubt saved many of his tenants from going hungry this month, and it shows his kind manner and willingness to look out for one another.

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He spoke with NBC New York on the matter, explaining: "I want everybody to be healthy. That's the whole thing...For me, it was more important for people's health and worrying about who could put food on whose table. I say don't worry about paying me, worry about your neighbor and worry about your family."

A well-respected figure in the neighborhood, Mr. Salerno was born on Metropolitan Avenue in the heart of Williamsburg, and is known for his car mechanic shop, Salerno's Autobody, which he inherited from his father. 

Now, many of his tenants are praising their landlord and his kind heart at this difficult time. Kaitlyn Guteski, a tenant of Mr. Salerno's, also spoke with NBC New York, explaining that after having to close her hair salon, she was worried about how she'd be able to pay rent. She said: "He's superman. He's a wonderful man."

Another of Mr. Salerno's tenants, Paul Gentile, a lawyer who'd just lost his job due to the pandemic, spoke to The New York Times on his experience. He'd noticed one of the signs Mr. Salerno had posted in his buildings, which stated the above information as well as: "Stay safe, help your neighbors & wash your hands!!!" Mr. Gentile explained he was surprised but not totally shocked, since Mr. Salerno had been a model landlord over the four years he'd lived there. He described how emergencies were fixed immediately and care was taken. He said: "You don't see that, especially in a landlord-tenant relationship in New York City. He's amazing."

It's people like Mr. Salerno who prove how wonderful humanity can be, and it's stories like this that we need in times like ours. If only there were more good samaritans out there like Mr. Salerno, to help get us through this crisis together.

What do you think of Mr. Salerno's kind gesture? Let us know in the comments and be sure to pass this on to your family and friends.