KINGSTON – Mayor Steven Noble has presented to the Kingston Common Council three proposed housing laws to protect the rights of renters.
They include Good Cause Eviction Law, Tax Exemption for New Affordable Housing Units, and Tax Exemption for New Accessory Dwelling Units, which were spurred by recent changes in the state budget.
In a communication on Friday, the mayor proposed that the common council consider passing Good Cause Eviction Law, which was recently passed statewide, giving municipalities the ability to opt-in.
He said passing Good Cause Eviction would give Kingston tenants the right to a lease renewal, and would protect against predatory rent increases and unfair evictions.
A judge would decide if an eviction were for a good cause based on the defined criteria of the Law. “Good causes” include failing to pay rent, violating terms of the lease, causing a nuisance, or violating the law. As per state law, new housing built after 2009 and for 30 years thereafter, owner-owner occupied buildings with 10 or less units, and buildings with existing regulatory agreements would be exempt from the legislation.
Noble also proposed passing a tax exemption for new affordable housing units built in Kingston. The new state budget allows the City of Kingston to partially exempt new housing from property taxation, including 100 percent tax exemption during construction. After construction, the 100 percent exemption is slowly reduced by four percent annually for 25 years. The exemption would apply to any new residential or mixed-used project built on underutilized or vacant properties with at least 10 housing units in which at least 25 percent of the housing units are affordable to households between 60-80 percent Area Median Income.
The mayor is recommending a tax exemption for new Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Under the new state budget, municipalities can partially exempt new ADUs from taxation for 10 years (100 percent exempt during the first five years, with the exemption percentage declining over the subsequent five years). This exemption would complement other city initiatives to encourage ADUs, including the ADU Plus One Grant program, the ADU design competition, and the city’s.
Visit https://kingston-ny.gov/housing.
