URGENT UPDATE: Kingston Mayor Steve Noble has just vetoed a crucial resolution that would have extended rent control protections under the Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA) for all residents. This decision follows a unanimous vote by the Common Council last week, leaving the future of housing protections in Kingston hanging in the balance.
The mayor’s veto, announced on December 25, raises immediate concerns for tenants, as the resolution had aimed to secure protections for approximately 1,000 units in the city. Noble claims the Council’s findings contain “factual errors” and misinterpret the latest vacancy study, which reported a 3.73% vacancy rate for ETPA buildings with more than 22 units. This rate falls below the 5% benchmark needed for declaring a housing emergency.
The Council is already signaling their intent to override Noble’s veto, with Councilmember Michele Hirsch expressing confidence that the override vote could happen as soon as December 29. She emphasized the necessity of protecting tenants and believes the Council has a solid case to defend their unanimous decision.
Noble’s veto statement highlighted that while he supports the need for continued ETPA protections, he believes they should be limited to larger buildings with more than 22 units, aligning with recommendations from Bartek Starodaj, City Director of Housing Initiatives. If his proposal advances, tenants in smaller buildings, those with 6 to 21 units, would lose their protections, increasing the risk of rent hikes and instability for many families.
The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. The existing ETPA protections currently safeguard tenants in buildings constructed before 1974, and the potential for increased vacancies could exacerbate the housing crisis in Kingston.
In response to the veto, Noble warned of potential legal challenges from landlords, who may contest the Council’s decisions. Richard Lanzarone, executive director of the Housing Providers of New York State, has already vowed to take action against the city. In previous legal battles, Kingston has successfully defended its ETPA measures, but the risk of renewed litigation adds pressure to the ongoing debate.
Noble reiterated his commitment to defending tenant rights, stating, “I am proud that the City of Kingston was the first upstate municipality to opt into ETPA in 2022.” He urged the Council to rectify the perceived errors in their resolution, emphasizing the need for factual accuracy to ensure the best outcomes for tenants.
The Common Council’s previous discussions highlighted overwhelming public support for extending rent control, with over 100 speakers advocating for protections during two lengthy hearings in November. The stakes remain high as both the Council and the mayor face pressure from constituents concerned about housing stability in Kingston.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the upcoming Council meeting set for December 29. The outcome could dramatically reshape the landscape of housing protections in Kingston, impacting the lives of many residents and setting a precedent for other municipalities in New York State.
