STATEMENT: Newburgh Judge Blocks Tenant Protections;

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sharee Powell, Orange County Organizer, 845-770-7205

NEWBURGH JUDGE BLOCKS TENANT PROTECTIONS; COMMUNITY VOICES HEARD CALLS ON STATE LEGISLATORS TO PASS GOOD CAUSE STATEWIDE

December 1, 2022 (NEWBURGH, NY) – Yesterday, an Orange County judge blocked Newburgh’s Good Cause eviction law, which protected renters from being evicted without reason.

Once again, a court has overturned the will of the people. Community Voices Heard members and partners fought and won good cause eviction to provide basic protections to keep regular, working-class people in their homes.

Nearly one in three of all people in Newburgh are living below the federal poverty level, including over 2,600 youth. And 43% of Newburgh residents reported spending more than 40% of their income on housing costs. Regular Newburgh residents – and all New Yorkers – deserve safe and affordable places to live.

“Do you know how many people are out on the street now? Do you know how many people are going to be out now without these protections? People are trying to get back on their feet and now we are hit with this?” said CVH Member and Newburgh resident Deborah Danzy.

Although these tenant protections are completely legal, the judge found that Newburgh did not have the power to pass a good cause eviction law because existing State law preempts it. Our state elected officials cannot continue to ignore the housing crisis. Now more than ever, State legislators must pass Good Cause protections statewide.

Good Cause is common-sense legislation that helps people stay in their homes. The tenant protections are critical and they work. An Ulster County judge also recently blocked Kingston’s historic 15% rent reduction; in both Kingston and Newburgh, greedy slumlords were behind the lawsuits. If judges continue to rule against city tenant protections, it’s up to the state to take action.

We call on Governor Hochul, Speaker Heastie, and Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins to pass Good Cause Eviction at the state level immediately. New York State tenants can’t wait.