KINGSTON – The Kingston Common Council Tuesday night voted unanimously to override Mayor Steven Noble’s veto of a resolution to re-issue the city’s housing declaration and continue rent stabilization in the city.
The council reaffirmed last month’s decision to maintain tenant protections for all units covered by the Emergency Tenant Protection Act, despite the mayor’s recommendation to rescind coverage for hundreds of units.
In announcing his veto, the mayor expressed concern that the council’s resolution could invite “legal challenges” from landlords antagonistic to rent stabilization, underscoring the “chilling effect property owners’ lawfare has had on the expansion of tenant protections.”
A group of landlords has already threatened to sue the city following the veto override.
“The common council upheld the will of the people by overriding the mayor’s veto and continuing to protect tenants,” said Jenna Goldstein, Ulster Community organizer at For the Many.
Council Majority Leader Michele Hirsch said the city “is still in the midst of a housing emergency – a low vacancy rate and high marketplace rents making moving out of reach.”
She said the veto override “reflects our community values and our commitment to making our city a sustainable place for working families and our seniors.”
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