We are pleased to announce that in today’s NY State Senate Hearing the sponsor of the Good Cause Eviction Bill (Senator Julia Salazar) and the Housing Committee Chair ( Senator Brian Kavanaugh) both testified that it is not the intent of the drafters of the bill to include Co-ops. This stated position excluding Co-ops from this potentially devastating legislation was the direct result of the hard work of the PCCC Executive Members. We were extremely pleased to hear their comments and thank them for clarifying the intent of this statute.
The efforts of the PCCC to have the Good Cause Eviction bill corrected to exclude Co-ops have been enormous. In anticipation of today’s hearing, our Executive members have personally met with key Senators and Assembly members on this bill, including the office of its’ Sponsor, State Senator Julia Salazar. We are the only Co-op advocacy group that had direct contact with key Senators and Assembly members. Geoffrey Mazel, PCCC Legal Counsel, and Bob Friedrich and Warren Schreiber, PCCC Co-Presidents testified before the Senate in opposition to the inclusion of Housing co-ops in the Good Cause Eviction Bill. Finally, the testimony of our member Board Presidents’ representing over 12,500 units of affordable Co-op housing was submitted to the NY State Senate.
Our efforts were heard loud and clear in Albany. We are still not sure if the bill will pass or not, but it has gained some traction recently. However, if it does pass, we are confident that co-ops will be exempt from its provisions.
As always, we will keep a close eye on this critical issue and all matters that are important to our members.