NEWBURGH — In light of nine tenant protection bills before the state legislature and the expiration of the state’s current tenant protection legislation, the Senate Housing Committee held a series of public hearings across the state, including one in Newburgh on Thursday afternoon.
Some issues constituents and elected officials referenced were those of unconscionable rent increase and good cause eviction.
Other Hudson Valley municipalities, including Kingston, have attested to there being a housing crisis, one where not only are there too few units available for rent, but ones where tenants can feel oppressed and at the mercy of their landlords.
Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) suggested, for instance, that unconscionable rent increase, which is characterized by an increase in rent 1.5 times the rate of inflation, be defined more clearly in order to encourage more housing development.
“Perhaps what would be better is to talk about unconscionable rent and list the factors that would be considered when determining that because we want to make sure that when we go ahead to get new developers here in Newburgh and Poughkeepsie and other cities, that really need it, they’re not discouraged totally from stepping up to the plate,” said Jacobson.
Regarding Good Cause Eviction, Citizen Action of New York board member and co-founder of the Kingston Tenants Union, Rashida Tyler, said the proposed legislation will help to give tenants leverage against what could be unacceptable, arbitrary action against them by landlords, as well as landlord negligence to property.
“Good Cause Eviction Legislation will help to provide residents of the Hudson Valley with piece of mind when they speak up against landlords that refuse to make repairs,” said Tyler.
Considering what State Senate members had heard from testimonials earlier in the day, tenant rights advocates urged the housing committee to level the playing field with legislation moving forward to avoid unfair practices on behalf of landlords, or those lacking in transparency.
