Advocates for tenant protections in Syracuse are applying early pressure to common councilors as they consider adopting new eviction policies. More than a dozen people holding signs gathered in front of city hall urging the city to opt-in to recently approved state legislation called the Good Cause Eviction law. They say rent in Syracuse is rising faster than anywhere in the country, forcing a 41 percent increase in homelessness for families with children. Good Cause aims to protect tenants against skyrocketing rent, as well as substandard housing and unjust evictions. Marissa Donaldson says she’s endured terrible conditions.
“My furnace going out, severe mold in my bathroom, mice, my bathroom ceiling falling in and the landlord just basically turned a blind eye to everything.”
Michelle Amiri says she’s endured numerous abuses and threats on her life by her landlord and other tenants. She says Good Cause will hold them accountable.
“If we pass good cause, and we make sure it gets enforced for every tenant, because every life matters, our city will be stronger for it," Amiri said. "It is the only humane and just thing to do. If you assume landlords cannot possibly lie or be deceptive, cover things up or be abusive, your eyes are closed and you are not looking at the facts.”
Amiri says police and the courts also bear some responsibility for not protecting tenants facing life-threatening situations.
Common Councilors are planning a deeper look into the ramifications of the new law for both tenants and landlords. Corey Williams is one of four councilors to introduce the measure. In his role with the city school district, he says in the 2023-24 academic year, 2,100 students received federal educational protections due to their housing status.
“When I look at numbers like that, I realize that we need to do whatever we can to make sure that folks in our community have a place to go at night, and that they have a house and they're not subject to living on other people's couches or living in a shelter, living in a hotel.”
Councilors are planning extensive review of Good Cause, including public hearings over the next several weeks before taking a vote.
