Town of Poughkeepsie Becomes Fifteenth NY Municipality to Adopt Good Cause Eviction
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – On Wednesday, following extensive organizing by grassroots organization For the Many, the Poughkeepsie Town Board voted 4-3 to adopt the strongest version of Good Cause Eviction, joining over a dozen other municipalities across the state in expanding tenant protections. No Republicans voted for the measure. The push for Good Cause in the Town of Poughkeepsie, the most populous municipality in the Mid-Hudson Valley, is For the Many’s seventh successful campaign for the law in the region.
“Winning Good Cause Eviction in the Town of Poughkeepsie is going to give thousands more renters security against unreasonable rent hikes and evictions, and will ultimately make the entire Poughkeepsie area a safer, more affordable place to live. This victory, won with our partners in Mid-Hudson Valley DSA and Ulster-Dutchess WFP, demonstrates that cities, towns, and villages of all sizes are eager to take action to address the housing crisis. Together, we will keep building tenant power and ensure every Hudson Valley resident has a safe, stable home they can afford,” said Daniel Atonna, Political Coordinator at For the Many and Candidate for City of Poughkeepsie Common Council (Ward 8).
“One-third of the Town of Poughkeepsie residents are renters, and this legislation will keep them safer in their homes. Good Cause Eviction is an anti-gentrification law, which gives room for responsible landlords to raise rents for a variety of reasons, but prevents huge rate hikes that will increase homelessness and shrink our pool of affordable housing. It is also an anti-retribution law that helps tenants advocate for their needs, when they face dangerous or deteriorating conditions, without fearing they will come home and find an eviction notice on the door. I am so proud to protect Town residents with this important law,” said Rebecca Edwards, Poughkeepsie Town Supervisor.
“The Citizens Committee on Housing Affordability is committed to researching and recommending legislation that will truly address housing affordability issues surrounding housing in our community. We are grateful to partner with For The Many and are proud to see expanded tenant protections in the Town of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County’s largest municipality. This is a win for all those struggling with affordability right now and demonstrates what we can do to impact lives at the local level,” said Trevor Redl, Chair of the Town of Poughkeepsie Citizens Committee on Housing Affordability and founder of Poughkeepsie Weekly.
