Eviction bill barring landlords from unjust rent hikes fails

A handful of Hudson Valley municipalities have passed their own good cause eviction laws during the pandemic, including Newburgh, Beacon, Kingston and Poughkeepsie. Albany was the first locality to pass its own good cause law in July 2021.

“Really what we want to make clear is that it’s shameful the Legislature hasn’t taken the action needed, despite broad public support, despite a really intense need,” said Brahvan Ranga, the political director of For the Many, a Hudson Valley social justice advocacy nonprofit.

Ranga said advocates were optimistic the bills would pass this year because of “upstate victories” with local legislation and “strong public support.”

“What happened is since the judge from the Court of Appeals threw out the Senate maps, that combined with a general fear of this election essentially made the Legislature decide that they’re not going to do anything significant to protect tenants this session because they’re afraid for their reelection and they’re afraid of the real estate industry,” Ranga said.