KINGSTON – The legislative session in Albany ends June 8, and rallies conducted in Hudson and Kingston Thursday addressed the need for equitable housing, which was left out of the budget passed earlier this spring.
Housing advocates including Assemblywoman Sarahana Shrestha (D, Esopus) are hoping legislators can pass some fair housing measures by the end of the session.
“What we hope to see is some sort of omnibus bill, a big package of bills that have a lot to do with housing,” she said at a suppertime rally at Academy Green Park in Kingston on Thursday. “And we basically do not think any housing omnibus bill is going to be complete without tenant protection.”
Organizers of the rallies want the state legislators to support Good Cause Eviction, which makes it difficult to evict someone because their living space could be rented for more money in markets, like the Mid-Hudson Valley, which has had home and rental prices climb significantly since the COVID pandemic.
“No matter how many units you build if there is not a guarantee to make it affordable and keep it affordable,” she said, “it’s not going to be affordable. Everything is going to be gentrified and keep going (up). We’re just pushing it until the session is officially over.”
