NEW YORK (AP) -- New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration is moving to block three charter schools from using space inside public school buildings.

Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina made the announcement on Thursday.

De Blasio, a Democrat, has long sought to curb the influence of charter schools in the city.

He was critical of the decision of his predecessor, Michael Bloomberg, to give the charter schools free rent in the city-owned buildings.

He said Thursday that he believes the co-location approval was "rushed" in the final days of the Bloomberg administration.

The schools were to open in the fall. They had already hired teachers and were admitting students.

Their supporters condemned de Blasio's decision.

Several other charter schools were permitted to relocate. Six regular district public schools were also prohibited from co-locating.