Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger issued a statement today applauding the Legislature's passage this week of a resolution enabling the County to expand its Eviction Prevention Program and offer additional supports to rent-burdened County residents.
The Ulster County Legislature unanimously passed a series of resolutions in July and August that significantly expands the County’s eviction prevention program. The bipartisan initiative extends and expands a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV), enabling LSHV to double its efforts in assisting residents facing eviction, including providing additional legal representation and housing counseling and in some cases, funding to assist with arrears.
The urgency of this expansion is underscored by the Ulster County Planning Department's newly-released 2023 Rental Housing Survey Report, which shows that 46% of the County’s residents are rent-burdened and 26% are severely rent-burdened.
The resolution for the expanded program was co-sponsored by Majority Leader Abe Uchitelle and Minority Leader Kevin Roberts.
“Addressing the housing crisis is a top priority for my administration and for the County Legislature,” said County Executive Metzger. “These more robust eviction defense services will provide a lifeline to residents at risk of losing their homes, and I want to thank Majority Leader Abe Uchitelle and Minority Leader Kevin Roberts for their bipartisan championship of this program."
“The expanded Eviction Prevention Program is a much-needed piece of the housing puzzle alongside our investments creating new affordable units and improving the quality of existing housing for low-income tenants,” said Majority Leader Abe Uchitelle, Chair of the Legislature's Health, Human Services, and Housing Committee. “By keeping residents facing eviction out of taxpayer funded hotels and shelters, we are able to keep more residents in their homes while also helping landlords with tenants in arrears become whole.”
“The expansion of this program marks a significant step forward in our commitment to supporting the residents of Ulster County,” said Ulster County Legislator and Minority Leader Kevin Roberts. ”By expanding the County Eviction Prevention Program, we are doubling down on our efforts to provide critical legal representation and housing counseling to those facing eviction. This expansion, made possible through bipartisan support and the dedication of our Legislature, ensures that we can better address the urgent needs of our rent-burdened community. Together, we are building a more resilient and supportive environment for all our residents.”
