Syracuse Common Councilors are being urged to once again consider opting in to the state’s good cause eviction law. It was exactly a year ago when the council voted 5 to 4 to withdraw the item from its agenda after six months of debate. If Mayor Sharon Owens has her way, it’ll be back.
"Syracuse needs more housing," Owens said during her state of the city address. "As the city faces unprecedented growth, we need to ensure we have sufficient housing stock to meet both our current needs as well as the demands of a growing city. We need to ensure our existing rental stock is safe and remains affordable for our residents. It is for that reason I encourage the council to engage in conversation around good cause eviction."
Proponents say it keeps landlords from demanding sky-high rents or removing tenants if they complain about maintenance issues. City auditor Alexander Marion has also called on the council to pass good cause legislation.
“We need to make sure we have the protections in place to help our tenants live and thrive in this community," he said. "We saw an upset primary win with one of our new councilors, largely focused on the issue of good cause eviction. Democracy prevailed. The people of the city of Syracuse want to see good cause eviction passed. And I think that the council should listen to the voters of the city of Syracuse.”
Councilor-at-large Hanah Ehrenreich defeated Amir Gethers last summer. One of the strongest opponents of good cause, Pat Hogan, is also no longer on the council after Owens defeated him in the mayoral primary. Last year, he said the city already has enough tenant protection laws which could be reviewed to avoid duplication by good cause.
