URGENT UPDATE: Kingston lawmakers are poised to override Mayor Steve Noble’s veto of a crucial resolution aimed at continuing rent control under the Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA). Alderwoman Michele Hirsch announced today that the Common Council has secured the necessary six votes for the override, with a special meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 30, at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.
This vote could significantly impact the future of rent control protections for hundreds of residents in Kingston. Hirsch, who will remain on the council next year, criticized Noble’s veto, emphasizing that the council’s findings should stand independently of the mayor’s objections. “We will take whatever steps are necessary to safeguard it,” she stated.
In a controversial move, Noble vetoed the council’s unanimous decision, arguing that it contained factual inaccuracies. He suggested limiting ETPA protections to buildings with 22 units or more, a proposal that tenant advocates warn would strip protections from 40% of the approximately 1,000 units currently covered by ETPA. Currently, ETPA protections apply to all buildings with six or more units built before 1974.
Noble’s veto has drawn sharp rebukes from multiple officials, including Alderman Michael Tierney and Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, as well as tenant advocates and attorneys who specialize in tenants’ rights. They argue that the mayor’s proposal ignores critical data from the 2025 vacancy study, which indicated that the vacancy rate for pre-1974 buildings with nine or more units is below the 5% threshold.
The executive director of the landlord advocacy group, Housing Providers of New York State, has warned of legal action if the council proceeds with the override. “If the council overrides the mayor with the resolution in its current form, we stand ready to defend property rights,” said Richard Lanzarone.
In response to the backlash, Noble defended his track record on housing protections, asserting that his administration has achieved more than any predecessor in the Hudson Valley. He argued that the legislation approved by the council is “flawed and vulnerable to a successful legal challenge,” underscoring the potential risks for tenants should the legislation be overturned in court.
As tensions rise, the council’s decision on December 30 will be critical, marking a pivotal moment for rent control in Kingston just days before new members join the council in January. Tenant advocates are closely monitoring the situation, emphasizing that the outcome will have lasting implications for housing stability in the city.
Stay tuned for updates as this situation develops, and prepare for what could be a decisive moment in Kingston’s housing policy.