For 15 years, the Rodriguez family has called their two-bedroom apartment on 4th Avenue home. Last month, a letter slipped under their door changed everything: a 28% rent increase, effective in 60 days, citing "major capital improvements" to the building's lobby and hallway.

"They painted the hallway and now they want $400 more a month," said Carmen Rodriguez, a home health aide who works double shifts to cover the current $1,850 rent. "The elevator still doesn't work half the time."

The Rodriguez family is not alone. According to housing advocates at the Sunset Park branch of the Fifth Avenue Committee, at least 40 families in three buildings along 4th Avenue received similar letters in January. The increases range from 18% to 35%.

Under New York's rent stabilization laws, landlords can apply for Major Capital Improvement (MCI) increases when they make building-wide upgrades. But tenants and advocates say the system is being abused — that cosmetic changes are being classified as major improvements to justify pushing out long-term, rent-stabilized tenants.

"What we're seeing is a pattern," said Diana Morales, a tenant organizer with the Fifth Avenue Committee who has been working out of the Sunset Park Library's community room. "The same management company, the same playbook, building after building."

The Sunset Park Library has become an unlikely hub for tenant organizing. Every Tuesday evening, Morales holds office hours in the community room, helping residents understand their rights, file complaints with the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal, and connect with legal services.

Roxana Benavides, the library's managing librarian, said the space feels natural. "People already come here for help — with immigration paperwork, job applications, English classes. Why not housing rights too?"

For Carmen Rodriguez, the library sessions have been a lifeline. "I didn't know I could challenge the increase," she said. "I thought the letter meant it was final." She has since filed a formal objection to the MCI application and connected with a pro bono housing attorney through Legal Aid.

The story is still unfolding. The management company, 4th Avenue Holdings LLC, did not respond to requests for comment. The DHCR typically takes 6 to 12 months to rule on MCI disputes.

In the meantime, Carmen Rodriguez keeps going to the library on Tuesday evenings. "Even if it's just to sit with other people going through the same thing," she said. "You feel less alone."