FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2021
Mayor Noble and
Common Council Members to Introduce Good Cause Eviction Legislation
KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble, was
joined at a press conference today by Council Members Reynolds Scott-Childress,
Michele Hirsh, Jeffrey Ventura Morell, Council President Andrea Shaut, and
community groups Nobody Leaves Mid-Hudson, Real Kingston Tenants Union/Ulster
County Coalition for Housing Justice and Citizen Action, to announce that
legislation for enacting Good Cause Eviction on a local level will be put forward
to the Common Council.
Passing Good Cause
Eviction would give every tenant in Kingston the right to a lease renewal, and
would protect against predatory rent increases and unfair evictions. The
legislation stops landlords from removing tenants without an order from a
judge, who would decide if an eviction is for a good cause. “Good causes”
include failure to pay rent, violating terms of the lease, causing a nuisance,
violation of the law, or in the event that the owner is selling the building.
Mayor Noble said, “At a time when we are
in the midst of both a housing crisis and an ongoing global pandemic, we
believe that passing Good Cause Eviction will not only help protect tenants, it
will be beneficial for our City, homeowners and neighborhoods, and good
landlords as well. Everyone deserves a safe, secure place to live, and Good
Cause Eviction gives tenants the power to demand safe living conditions without
fear of retaliation. We know that housing instability has profound effects on a
person’s well-being, including physical and mental health, academic success and
gainful employment. This legislation would be one step in helping everyone in
our community have adequate housing.”
Common Council Majority Leader Reynolds
Scott-Childress said, “All tenants in Kingston live in precarious
conditions. They can lose their homes in the blink of an eye. They
face the possibility of eviction on a landlord’s whim. They face the
possibility of unconscionable rent increases that can leave them homeless. The
common-sense legislation we propose here today provides a reasonable set of
guidelines that clarify the relations between tenants and landlords. Landlords
have a grave responsibility that sets them apart from most providers of
services and goods. They provide not just housing, but homes.
This legislation ensures that tenants can feel confident that, so long as they
do their duty as renters, they will be secure in their homes.”
Alderwoman Michele Hirsh said, “Just Cause
Eviction Legislation is an important policy tool to prevent displacement and
promote tenant stability in the City of Kingston where rents are rapidly rising
and vacancies are low, where landlords may seek to evict existing tenants to
renovate their buildings and attract wealthier renters at higher prices. Just
Cause also protect tenants who report inadequate housing conditions or request
repairs. The City of Kingston has a high percentage of rental units and many
tenants have already been displaced from our city due to gentrification which
has rapidly sped up during the COVID-19 Pandemic. I have witnessed Ward Nine
lose many wonderful community members over the last two years. The passing of
Good Cause is also good policy for the health and stability of Kingston
families as evictions are linked to depression, poorer health, higher levels of
stress, and higher rates of material hardship, especially among low-income
mothers. I call on my Council colleagues to pass this legislation and protect
the City of Kingston’s tenant community.”
Rebecca Garrard of Citizen Action said,
“We’re extremely grateful to the Mayor and Councilmembers for their
introduction of Good Cause legislation in the City of Kingston. The housing
crisis, which existed pre-pandemic, has only increased since 2020. The
current housing situation is intolerable, especially for low income residents
and communities of color. We must protect the residents of Kingston from mass
displacement, predatory rent hikes, and retaliatory evictions, and this
legislation is an important step towards accomplishing that.”
Brahvan Ranga of Nobody Leaves Mid-Hudson
said, “Every day, we speak to members of this community who face the constant
fear of housing insecurity: skyrocketing rental prices, predatory landlords,
and the threat of evictions looming large. Mayor Noble and these members of the
Common Council have courageously taken an important first step to
combat the housing crisis, and affirm fundamental rights for tenants in
Kingston, by introducing Good Cause Eviction.”
Rashida Tyler of the Real Kingston Tenants
Union and the Ulster County Coalition for Housing Justice said, “Good
Cause eviction legislation will help keep many Kingston residents in their
homes, and stem the tide of displacement that has only deepened the
pandemic began. There are many tenants throughout the city who are at risk
of eviction despite paying their rent on time and being exemplary
tenants. We need Good Cause Eviction legislation to help provide stability
for our community.”
The proposed legislation will be presented
to the Common Council’s Laws & Rules Committee on September 15, 2021.
The New York State Rental Assistance
Program for any New Yorker in rent arrears due to the pandemic is still
accepting applications: https://otda.ny.gov/programs/emergency-rental-assistance/