FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Eli Berkowitz, Hudson Valley Lead Organizer, Community Voices Heard, 845-541-1122
POUGHKEEPSIE TENANTS WILL DEMAND A BUDGET PLAN FROM MAYOR ROLISON THAT PROTECTS TENANTS AND PROVIDES RENT RELIEF
Community Voices Heard members will hold a press conference on Tuesday in response to the Mayor’s budget plan and to demand the City of Poughkeepsie use American Rescue Plan funding for rent relief and tenant protections
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – On Tuesday, October 25 at 12:30pm, Community Voices Heard Poughkeepsie members will hold a press conference at the courtyard outside of City Hall to demand the Mayor use federal American Rescue Plan funds for rent relief and tenant protections.
One in three renters in Poughkeepsie spend more than half their income on rent. Rents have been increasing at rates that far outpace growth in income and earnings. Sixty-five percent of Poughkeepsie residents are renters, and they need relief.
The Mayor's proposed budget does nothing to address our housing crisis. Mayor Rolison plans to spend $8.83 million in federal COVID-relief funds on things like computer systems for City Hall and more police cameras and SUVs, instead of helping families who were most impacted by the pandemic. Those funds should be used as intended by the Federal government to respond to the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19.
Community Voices Heard has engaged in over 700 conversations with tenants across the city about where they want this ARPA money to go; the overwhelming answer has been rent relief and tenant protections.
The City of Poughkeepsie conducted its own Housing Needs Assessment, which found that Poughkeepsie is facing a housing affordability crisis. The Housing Needs Assessment included recommendations to improve housing opportunities that the Mayor appears to be ignoring in his budget plan.
Community Voices Heard members will demand the Mayor deliver a budget that recognizes the city’s housing crisis and does more for tenants. Poughkeepsie residents need and deserve rent relief and tenant protections now.
###