FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2022
Rent Guidelines Board Applications Now Open
Board Will Determine Annual Allowable Rental Increases
KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble is pleased to announce that, after signing the Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA) legislation into law on July 29, 2022, a Rent Guidelines Board will now be established.
The City’s Department of Housing Initiatives will oversee the implementation of ETPA in coordination with New York State’s Division of Housing and Community Renewal. According to the State’s guidelines, the City of Kingston must establish a Rent Guidelines Board to determine the annual allowable rental increases.
The Rent Guidelines Board will be made up of two tenant representatives, two property owner representatives, and five members of the public, and will meet annually to set guidelines for rent adjustments. Each of the members of the public must have at least five years of experience in finance, economics or housing. Board members must be residents of the City of Kingston. The Division of Housing and Community Renewal will assist the Board in making its annual determination.
“Citizen participation is critical for so many of our boards and commissions. This board in particular will hold a tremendous amount of responsibility and will be vital for the implementation of the Emergency Tenant Protection Act,” said Mayor Noble. “We are looking for a diverse range of Kingston residents while still complying with the rules and regulations set for us by this State Law. I encourage all how are eligible to apply.”
Council President Andrea Shaut said, “The Rent Guidelines Board is a great opportunity to have your voice heard and to be a part of the solutions. We hope for applicants who will bring a wide range of perspectives and experiences to the table. All voices that fit the qualifications are welcome and encouraged to apply. The Common Council looks forward to reviewing and recommending nine of our fellow community members to serve in this important capacity.”
The application for the Rent Guidelines Board is due August 15, 2022 at 5:00pm and can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/rentguidelinesboard
The Rent Guidelines Board is expected to hold its first meeting in September 2022. More information on the eligibility requirements can be found here. Interested applicants with questions can contact the City Housing Director, Bartek Starodaj at 845-334-3928 or [email protected].
Earlier this year, the City of Kingston surveyed properties built before 1974 with six or more rental units to determine how many apartments are vacant, how many are occupied, and how many are vacant but not available to rent. According to the survey data, Kingston has a net vacancy rate of 1.57% for this class of rental properties. Based on the results, Kingston was eligible to declare a housing emergency and opt into the New York State ETPA. The rental protections under ETPA can only be applied to buildings constructed prior to 1974 with six or more units. The full vacancy report and methodology can be found here.
Mayor Noble established the Department of Housing Initiatives in 2020 to support housing planning in the City of Kingston. The Department manages housing-related grants, supports the construction of new market-rate and affordable housing, develops policies to protect existing residents, and addresses the connection between housing and sustainability, health, and mobility. The Department also reviews the disposition of city-owned property suitable for housing development and collaborates with local and regional housing organizations. Current projects include city-wide rezoning efforts, the Tiny Homes Project, Good Cause Eviction, short-term rental guidelines and more. Visit https://kingston-ny.gov/housing.