To the Editor:
A contingent of state lawmakers, predominantly based in New York City, have signaled their intent to push policy that will disrupt student housing in areas like Syracuse and neighboring college towns.
“Good cause eviction” is a rent-control scheme intentionally misnamed by its supporters that would impose the city’s broken rent laws statewide.
The Syracuse area is home to numerous public and private colleges and universities that play a significant role in the lives of surrounding towns and villages. Good cause eviction, if implemented, would pose a significant threat to these well-established housing ecosystems.
Student housing markets are inherently dynamic, characterized by a constant cycle of students leasing properties for short durations. The good cause eviction provision for mandatory lease renewals could severely disrupt this cycle. It could lead to situations where graduates occupy housing meant for current students, hampering the natural turnover necessary for universities to maintain and grow enrollment figures.
This disruption in the student housing market would exacerbate existing challenges to finding affordable off-campus housing in Syracuse leading to a campus housing crisis and deterring prospective students, impacting enrollment, institutional finances and the local economy.
It is crucial for local and state leaders to publicly voice their opposition to good cause eviction.
Lee Haramis and Tonei Wilson
Syracuse
The writers are property owners in Syracuse.
