Of the many inconvenient truths cast into sharp relief by the COVID-19 pandemic, few have been as sobering as the recognition that many New Yorkers live, work and survive under conditions of only the most tenuous housing security.
The past year-and-a-half has provided an unflinching window into the potential threat for destabilization that such mass social and economic disruptions can cause. Temporarily shielded behind a state eviction moratorium extension enacted by Gov. Hochul and bolstered by a reservoir of emergency rent relief funds, renters across the state have (so far) been spared the tsunami of potential evictions that looms beyond the end of the moratorium, and the widespread turmoil that would certainly follow it.
Yet with no clear endpoint to the pandemic in sight, the reality is inescapable: tenant protections must be strengthened to every degree possible to keep hardworking New Yorkers safely in their homes. Roughly 1.6 million unregulated households across New York State continue to struggle in desperate need of additional protections to ensure that the devastating social and economic consequences of the pandemic are not allowed to compound a public health crisis with an eviction and homelessness crisis.
The time to act is now.
In major victories for tenant advocates this year, Albany and Hudson made history by becoming the first municipalities in New York to enact “Good Cause” legislation meant to keep residents of unregulated buildings safely housed and to prevent homelessness. With the passage of this legislation, tenants can defend themselves against retaliatory evictions, advocate for repairs, and receive protection against exorbitant rent hikes — making the innovative housing policies adopted in Albany and Hudson the first stop in a campaign to take Good Cause legislation statewide and extend these protections to all New Yorkers.
Preventing wrongful evictions is crucial to the long-term fight for housing justice. Under Good Cause, tenants are entitled to renew their lease, and landlords must demonstrate “good cause” when seeking to evict tenants (who may still be evicted for legitimate, justified reasons). The legislation prevents the potential exploitation of struggling tenants through exorbitant rent hikes and ensures fair and equal access to housing security by subjecting rent increases, particularly those above 5%, to rigorous judicial scrutiny in eviction court.
Good Cause legislation also gives tenants the right to live without fear of retaliation by their landlords if they complain about living conditions or other quality of life concerns. In Albany, if a building owner refuses to make repairs, Good Cause empowers the Department of Buildings and Regulatory Compliance to make emergency repairs, substantially eliminating the need to force renters out of their homes while throwing their lives into upheaval and potentially exposing them to the ravages of COVID-19. The signing of this bill marks a vital step in the creation of a housing market that recognizes the value and worth of all its residents.
Good Cause is not only a step toward breaking the cycle of unaffordable housing, gentrification and housing insecurity in Albany and Hudson, but sets a precedent for municipalities across New York State. Tenant advocates are focusing their efforts at the local level by backing a wave of proposed initiatives in cities like Rochester and Buffalo. Nearly 80% of New Yorkers support passing Good Cause legislation, according to a poll by Data for Progress, and a majority of Democratic state senators and Assembly members have signed on in support. It is time for state lawmakers to take concerted steps to enact the common-sense protections that Good Cause legislation provides.
Amid this unprecedented public health crisis, keeping New Yorkers in their homes is vital to lessening the devastation caused by COVID-19. We must take action to protect all tenants — including those most impacted by economic, health care and housing disparities — from unfair evictions and homelessness. Good Cause legislation does just that.
Sheehan is the mayor of Albany and Johnson is the mayor of Hudson, N.Y.
