Hudson Valley Housing Crisis
​

Did you know that there is a housing crisis in New York's "Hudson Valley" region? There is NOT a shortage of housing, but there has been an influx of gentrification over the past decade that is causing disruption to the housing ecosystem here. Below are some transmissions to get familiar with the current landscape. It is our hope that folks get familiar with the "warning signs" of gentrification in our region and do all that we can to stop it. 


We hope that folks consider:

  • What Land Back can and should look like here according to Indigenous people. Click here to get to know this land's original and rightful stewards.

  • Their potential impact if they are looking to move here. Get to know the land, the people here, our needs, and ways to tap into existing efforts before coming and purely extracting.

  • Divesting from the oppressive systems and structures that allow for landlords, business owners, and realtors to hoard land and hoard housing. Housing is a human right.

  • Creating new ways of living and caring for one another outside of the current systems. Build confidence and solidarity with others as renters so we can collectively fight the hoarders together.

The road may seem long, but things have not always been the way that they are now and, thus, do not need to continue on in this unsustainable and oppressive way. ​Housing is a human right. 
​


Good Cause Eviction​

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

If you are a renter, you may be protected under Good Cause Eviction legislation!



​
Good Cause Eviction:
​
Protects tenants from unfair evictions

Prevents egregious rent increases

Preserves community

Supports tenant stability

Click here to learn a little more about what it is



Cities and towns that currently DO have Good Cause Eviction in place are below.
Click each city for details on what was passed:

Beacon

Catskill

Hudson

Kingston

New Paltz

Newburgh

Nyack

Poughkeepsie


In progress:

Middletown
(click here to contact electeds)
​


​
​
The logistics of Good Cause Eviction legislation vary from place to place so please do your research, but here are the basics:

  • New York State passed a version of Good Cause Eviction (GCE) that allows municipalities to opt into it- aka the place you live can and should totally opt in. Localities fine tune what GCE entails there.

  • Landlords can't just raise your rent however much they want. Typically, the max they can raise it is either 5% OR ~10% if they're gonna fix stuff/make it worth it (which you have the right to fight for. Keep reading).

  • Landlords can only evict you for certain things. Reasons depend on municipality, but typically include things like failure to pay rent, landlord is taking the place off the market, and lease violations. They can't evict you out of spite or in retaliation.



"Who can I ask questions to to get more info on Good Cause Eviction?"

The short answer is probably "your alderperson" or an elected official where you live. If you know who they are or can look them up (look up "[Your Town] NY Aldermen" and find your person on the City Hall webpage), you can ask them. They are technically elected to help you with this stuff.

If you have reservations, you can utilize the resources at the top of this page as well and our Resource Guide. And we deeply encourage you to talk to people! Talk to neighbors, other tenants your landlord may have, friends, etc. Many renters in the Hudson Valley are struggling, but we are not alone. Build solidarity and take no shit!
"What if my town doesn't have Good Cause Eviction?"

You can fight for it! So many other places have adopted it, aka the legwork is mostly done. Push your electeds to pass GCE! Get a group of friends together, alert as many people as you can, and win it. Look up how other places did it and ask them for help and tips. You got this! And we're here to help too!
​
​Click each photo for a snapshot of the housing landscape:
"How much are homeless lives worth?" | Rise Up Kingston, 2024


"A recent report by Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress found that the average single renter cannot afford a one-bedroom apartment in any of the region’s nine counties." | WAMC, 2024


“Our current housing system is set up, not as housing as a human right, but housing as a commodity." | Marist Circle, 2023


“I can’t find anything, nothing. I have friends who had to leave the area — either going farther upstate or to Pennsylvania where things are cheaper. But I can’t leave because my kids are still in school here.” | The City, 2023
organize - recognize - celebrate!