In the past year, there has been a lot going on for everyone. With bleak times ahead, gestures of solidarity are more needed than ever.

That is why when we hear about this landlord who canceled rent for his tenants, our hearts melted.

A One-Of-A-Kind Landlord

Mario Salerno is a Brooklyn landlord who owns 80 apartments, where 200 tenants live. Because of the hardship related to the pandemics, he decided to do the right thing.

He went ahead and waived the rent for all of his tenants for the month of April. To inform them, he posted signs at the entrance of every building he owns. The notice states:

"Please note I am waiving rent for the month of April 2020. Stay safe, help your neighbors and wash your hands!!!"

Things Are Tough For Many

Mario took the decision in order to relieve the stress of those struggling with their finances. Because of the restrictions, a lot of people in the city lost their source of income.

For Mario, losing a month of income is not something to worry about. Instead, he is concerned for the safety and well-being of the hundreds living in his buildings.

In an interview with NBC New York, he said:

"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 Most Welcome Measure

Last month Paul Gentile, a 28-year-old lawyer living in Salerno's building, lost his job. This was due to businesses closing down throughout the city following COVID-19 measures.

Gentile has been living in his apartment for almost four years. In an interview with The New York Time, he praised his landlord's good heart saying:

"You don't see that, especially in a landlord-tenant relationship in New York City. He's amazing. It has alleviated a huge amount of stress that I have been having with the unemployment system in the state."

These are the kind of stories we want to hear every day. As the future is still uncertain, kindness to one another is all we have.