Syracuse Common Councilors have rejected, for now, an expansion of tenant protections under what’s called Good Cause Eviction Law. Some opposed to the legislation might reconsider their vote if changes are made.
Tenants and housing advocates say they’re surprised and disappointed by the defeat despite conditions they say warrant the extra protections. Genevieve Rand is with New York State Tenant Bloc, which has pushed Syracuse to opt-in to the state law for years.
“Syracuse is the city with the highest rent hikes in the entire state," she said. "Poverty is incredibly high here. Housing conditions are very poor. This is our priority...protecting tenants of this city.”
Tenant advocate Genghis Khalid Muhammad said its about power, not money.
“Good cause eviction checks the power. It balances the situation between landlords and tenants,” he said.
The final vote was a 4-4 tie due to a council vacancy, automatically defeating the measure. City charter says the council president can’t break a tie on a local law.
New councilor Donna Moore says she changed her mind several times before deciding to vote no. She said the legislation is flawed because it applies to landlords who own as few as two properties.
“That does a disservice to our community and our neighborhoods where landlords have bought properties on the street where they live in order to try to keep their neighborhoods stable," she said.
Moore said raising that threshold might change her vote.
Councilor Jimmy Monto was one of the four who voted yes.
“it's not going to solve all the problems," he said. "I think a lot of the no votes that I heard today were because it's not going to solve this, this and this. But it actually is going to solve a few other things. And it was another tool to have in our toolbox.”
Good Cause legislation requires landlords to provide a reasonable, specific cause to evict a tenant, including failure to pay rent, criminal activity, and disturbances. The measure also restricts landlords from sharply raising rents.
Opponents say Good Cause would discourage investment in rental properties.
Mayor Sharon Owens supports the measure, and made it part of her campaign platform. After the vote, she said in a statement that she's disappointed.
"I remain committed to working with the Common Council, housing advocates, and community members to address the urgent need for housing stability and affordability in Syracuse," Owens said. "Protecting tenants and ensuring fair treatment is essential to the health and equity of our city. I appreciate the Council’s and the community’s engagement on this important issue. I look forward to continuing the dialogue to find solutions that strengthen housing security for all residents.”
City Auditor Alexander Marion was a bit more blunt in his remarks. He's called for passage of Good Cause since he took office.
"“This is a profoundly disappointing decision by the Common Council. Their failure to act with courage lets down the majority of our residents who are tenants – 61% of Syracusans," he said in a statement. "In a city filled with the highest rent increases in the nation and tenants at risk of retaliatory evictions, the common council has chosen to make more Syracusans homeless. This is shameful and our Syracuse tenants will not forget who failed them.”
The council plans to convene a task force to make the law more palatable to both landlords and tenants.
