UPDATE: Kingston lawmakers are on the brink of a pivotal decision that could reshape rent control for hundreds of residents. Alderwoman Michele Hirsch announced Friday that the Common Council has secured the necessary six votes to override Mayor Steve Noble’s veto of a resolution to continue protections under the Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA). A special meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 30, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall to finalize this crucial vote.
This overriding vote may be the council’s last action before four new members assume their roles in January, making the stakes even higher. Hirsch slammed the mayor for his veto, asserting, “Our findings will be evaluated on their own merits, independent of the mayor’s objections.” She expressed confidence that Kingston’s rent stabilization laws will endure.
The urgency surrounding this vote is palpable as tenant advocates warn that if ETPA protections are limited to buildings with 22 units or more, nearly 40% of the approximately 1,000 units currently protected would lose their safeguards. Currently, ETPA protections cover all buildings of six units or larger constructed before 1974, a critical lifeline for many in the community.
Mayor Noble, however, argues that the council’s findings contain factual errors and misinterpret the 2025 vacancy study. He believes protections should only extend to larger buildings, claiming that the current legislation is legally vulnerable. “Should the council override the mayor with the resolution in its current form, we stand ready to do whatever is necessary to defend property rights,” stated Richard Lanzarone, executive director of the landlord advocacy group Housing Providers of New York State.
The proposed limitations have drawn outrage from tenant advocates who argue that Noble’s approach ignores findings indicating the vacancy rate for pre-1974 buildings with nine or more units is below the 5% threshold necessary to end ETPA protections.
In a recent email, Noble defended his record on housing protections, asserting that “my administration has done more in the field of affordable housing than any of my predecessors.” He pledged to work with the council to create legislation that is “solid and airtight,” emphasizing that any flawed legislation could lead to legal challenges detrimental to tenants.
As the clock ticks down to the special meeting, the outcome remains uncertain. Advocates, council members, and affected tenants are watching closely, aware that the decision will have far-reaching implications for housing stability in Kingston.
What happens next will not only impact the current residents but will also set a precedent for housing policy in the region. Stay tuned for updates as this developing story unfolds.
