Tenants and housing advocates rallied on Wednesday, January 17 to celebrate the City of Newburgh’s adoption of rent stabilization and pushed for additional solutions to the housing crisis. Members of For The Many and Mid-Hudson Valley Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), along with other residents went door-to-door to make tenants aware of their new rights and protections.

The City of Newburgh declared a housing emergency on Monday, December 18, 2023 following a unanimous vote by Newburgh City Council members. The emergency declaration thus allowed the city to opt into rent stabilization under the Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA) of 1974.

Recommendations for a City of Newburgh rent guidelines board were approved on Monday, January 8 which includes members Valarie E. Larry, Bridget McMillan, Debra R. Lamb, Karen Mejia, Corey Allen, Peter Frase, John Kasinki, Sarah Mazzetti and Dino Nguyen.

Tenants and local leaders spoke about the ETPA and called on state lawmakers to pass Good Cause eviction protections for unregulated tenants, the Housing Access Voucher Program to provide rental assistance, and deployment of the public sector to create new social housing.

“We’re thrilled that 738 families in Newburgh now have new protections against eviction and rent hikes. All their neighbors across the Hudson Valley should have those rights too – that’s why we need the state legislature to pass Good Cause eviction protections and build new social housing,” said Stephen Pampinella, Mid-Hudson Valley DSA member. “We won’t rest until every tenant has the protections they need from rent hikes and evictions, and until everyone is guaranteed the right to a safe, secure home!”

Under rent stabilization, eligible tenants are guaranteed lease renewals and a rent guidelines board made up of tenant, property owner, and expert representatives will set annual rates for rent adjustments. Eligible tenants are those living in buildings built before 1974 that have 6 or more units. The City Council has submitted Rent Guidelines Board appointments to the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal.

“Upstate tenants from Newburgh to Poughkeepsie are organizing to win rent stabilization in their communities – but without action from Albany, our local government is limited in what we can do to protect tenants in smaller buildings and expand the supply of truly affordable housing,” said Rene Mejia, community organizer with For the Many. “Providing stability for tenants with Good Cause eviction protections, expanding rental assistance with the Housing Access Voucher Program, and investing in new social housing that will be affordable to those who need it most is essential to safe and stable neighborhoods across the Hudson Valley.”

“It takes bold leadership to put the interest and rights of tenants before profits, and the leadership in the City of Newburgh secured the housing of over 700 families by passing ETPA. I will continue to fight alongside our city elected officials to advocate at every level of government to ensure tenants are protected and that the bad actors in our community are held accountable,” said Orange County Legislator Genesis Ramos.

“While we all desire upward momentum and progress in our city that can’t come at the cost of displacing those that have been here for generations, which is why this is just one step of many that need to be taken to ensure that there is housing justice for all.”

For the Many will host a know-your-rights workshop for ETPA tenants at the Newburgh Free Library on Sunday, January 28 at 3 p.m.