Good Cause Eviction Protections Passes

KINGSTON – On Tuesday, July 2nd, the Kingston Common Council voted 9-0 to opt-in to the state Good Cause Eviction law, which the state granted municipalities authorization to do earlier this year. Kingston is now the second Upstate city, after Albany, to opt-in to the state law. Good Cause Eviction would protect certain tenants against unfair evictions and predatory rent increases. For the Many and allied housing justice organizations have worked on this issue for years – including passing the January 2022 local law in Kingston, which was ultimately repealed after landlord lawsuits, as well as the state-level legislation.

The version of Good Cause Eviction passed on Tuesday evening, sponsored by Alderpersons Michael Tierney and Michelle Hirsch, contained a “portfolio size” exemption of one, which would exempt landlords who own only one rental unit from the law (except in the case of owner-occupied buildings of 10 units or less). This will prevent larger corporate landlords from exploiting an LLC loophole allowing them to evade Good Cause protections for their tenants, and will also cover as many tenants as possible. As per the state-level legislation, only tenants living in buildings built before 2009 are eligible for these protections. For the Many will continue to organize for additional municipalities to opt into the Good Cause Eviction law, and work on the state level to strengthen and expand the legislation to cover more tenants.

In order to educate tenants on their rights, connect them with legal services, and offer them guidance in their dealings with landlords, For the Many has launched a tenant hotline. Tenants can call (845) 481-0882 to be connected with these resources.

“Tonight’s victory shows that when tenants organize, we win. Kingston has made history by becoming the second city in Upstate New York to opt into Good Cause Eviction. This will keep our neighbors in their homes, prevent housing prices from continuing to skyrocket, and grant tenants basic protections in their dealings with landlords. This victory builds on a host of groundbreaking housing justice legislation enacted here in Kingston and across the Hudson Valley, such as rent stabilization. We urge Mayor Noble to sign the legislation as soon as possible and call on other cities to enact Good Cause Eviction protections and rent stabilization to address the housing crisis facing the Hudson Valley”, said For the Many Political Director Brahvan Ranga.

“With the passage of Good Cause Eviction, we now have the ability to help more than half of Kingston tenants stave off unjust evictions,” said 9th Ward Alderwoman Michele Hirsch. “This is a huge win for Kingston families.”

“Kingston has won a major victory for housing justice by passing Good Cause Eviction legislation, and by enacting the strongest possible version of the law by eliminating potential loopholes. Kingston tenants such as myself will now have recourse against predatory evictions or rent increases, and feel a sense of security in their homes. This legislation will keep our neighbors in Kingston and ensure our community can continue to thrive”, said 2nd Ward Alderman Michael Tierney.