Legislature approves $50,000 for tenant legal help after resident found dead at Asteri building
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Summary
After lawmakers were informed that a Tompkins County resident connected to the Asteri building was found dead, the Legislature authorized $50,000 in contingent funds to support legal assistance for eligible tenants and asked for a 90‑day implementation report.
The Tompkins County Legislature on March 19 approved a $50,000 allocation from contingent funds to provide legal assistance to eligible residents affected by the crisis at the Asteri building.
The action followed a report by the presiding chair that a resident connected to Asteri had been found deceased in his unit; the chair told the Legislature the resident had experienced homelessness previously and that county staff and community nonprofits had worked to place and assist him. Several public commenters, including Zach Quinn, tied that individual’s case to broader problems at Asteri and to an ongoing rescission of a pilot agreement between the IDA and the building operator.
Travis Brooks (chair of the Public Safety Committee), who presented Resolution N (ID 13982), described the allocation as a short‑term retainer to allow legal services organizations to provide tenant consultation and advocacy to residents facing eviction or displacement. County Attorney Mori Josephson said the county is pursuing vigorous enforcement against building deficiencies and that legal remedies can be used to create financial consequences for an operator who does not comply with code or public health requirements.
Legislators asked how the money would be used. Officials said the funds would operate like a declining retainer: billable hours for legal counsel would be charged against the $50,000 pool so that advocates could prioritize urgent tenant needs while the county determines a longer‑term contracting solution. County staff also noted LawNY (a local legal services partner) has active cases related to Asteri but limited capacity; the county indicated the funding could help expand immediate capacity, including paid interns or temporary staff.
The resolution requires a 90‑day report to the Legislature on implementation, fund use and outcomes. The roll‑call vote recorded in the transcript shows the measure passed with 12 ayes.
Context and clarifications: public speakers and officials mentioned that the IDA had begun rescinding a pilot agreement with the building operator and that there could be significant tax‑expenditure implications if the pilot were fully rescinded (a figure cited in public comment was roughly $3,000,000 per year in taxes that would be due absent the pilot; that estimate was described by a commenter as their current understanding). County Administrator Corsa and county legal staff said state agencies and the city are actively involved in testing and enforcement actions; a full return‑to‑occupancy plan remains contingent on building safety tests and code remediation.
Next steps: county administration will implement the legal‑assistance contract approach, report back within 90 days with details on fund utilization and outcomes, and continue coordination with city and state agencies on housing placements and enforcement.
