During a recent government meeting, community members voiced urgent calls for the swift passage of the Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA) amid rising concerns over tenant rights and housing stability. Speakers highlighted the pressing need for legislative action to protect vulnerable renters from eviction and escalating rents, emphasizing that delays in passing the bill could exacerbate the ongoing housing crisis.

Caleb Croft, a local advocate, urged the council to define small landlords as those owning just one unit, preventing them from circumventing the proposed protections through the establishment of multiple LLCs. He expressed frustration over the lack of progress, stating, \"Justice delayed is justice denied,\" and warned that tenants could soon find themselves trapped in higher leases due to the council's inaction.

Andrew Hillard, representing the Mid Hudson Valley Democratic Socialists of America, reported on ongoing canvassing efforts that revealed widespread tenant harassment and substandard living conditions. He stressed the urgency of implementing the ETPA, noting that landlords are motivated to raise rents and evict tenants before the protections take effect. Hillard called for a vote on the ETPA at the council's next meeting, scheduled for the 18th.

Linda Barty echoed these sentiments, questioning the delays in addressing the housing crisis and urging the council to act swiftly for the sake of struggling families. The meeting underscored a growing consensus among community members that immediate legislative action is necessary to safeguard tenant rights and prevent further hardship in the face of rising housing costs.