Provide Stability to Ossining Tenants

The Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA) is a method of providing some support to working and middle class renters. Why do some see it as a controversial reform that should be prevented? How is it that some relief from unregulated, skyrocketing rental increases and protection from harassment and housing insecurity is deemed by some to be a radical intervention on their perceived right to charge tenants whatever they want without any bounds or regulations?

Housing, like food, water, clean air to breathe, health and education are not luxuries that we can live and thrive without. To that, I would add respect, dignity and equitable access to opportunities and resources. ETPA is not a new menu item in the struggle to address housing inequalities, especially when tenants are confronted with the pressures of rising housing costs that come with gentrification and under regulated development.

Regulations to protect tenants have been in existence in the United States in some form or another for at least 75 years. Although the types of regulations have changed over the years, the need to support an adequate supply of decent, affordable housing has not.

I am a homeowner presently but had always lived in rent-stabilized buildings in New York City before moving to Ossining. That meant that although rent increases occurred, they were at least regulated. It also meant that there were some built in tenants’ rights and responsibilities that were part of the one or two year leases that were provided.

The ETPA is a form of tenant protection that was introduced in 1974 and is in effect in at least 19 towns, villages and cities in Westchester County, including our neighboring Croton, Pleasantville, Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown, Mount Kisco, White Plains and others. Why is Ossining missing here? We are definitely a community that is eligible to offer this.

Who benefits and who loses out? Tenants with fixed and lower incomes are jeopardized and priced or pushed out of their neighborhoods and homes, while developers and big landlords gain the profits that rising rents and under regulated housing bring them. For tenants, it’s not a choice of a better pair of shoes, designer clothes or fancier cars we’re talking about. It’s having access to an affordable, stable and safe place to live for families. It means having some stability in our neighborhoods for adults and children.

As an educator and parent, I have observed the negative impact that housing insecurity can have on the development of a child. Again, the questions, “Why is Ossining missing here?” “Who benefits and who loses out?”

Let’s support the ETPA and take a stand on the side of addressing the rights of tenants in our community. This shouldn’t be such a difficult choice – to be on the side of protecting tenants is a rational and humane decision. Inaction leaves community members vulnerable to those who would place profits above people. Ossining is better than that!