Binghamton, NY – In response to the Binghamton Chamber of Commerce coming out in opposition of the Good Cause Eviction Law, Salka Valerio, Community Organizer, Citizen Action of New York Southern Tier chapter issued the following statement:
“Amid an escalating housing crisis in Binghamton, it is deeply troubling that the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce has chosen to oppose the Good Cause Eviction law — a law designed to prevent landlords from financially exploiting tenants and protect them from unjustified displacement.
“This morning the Chamber acknowledged in its mass email correspondence that the law “requires landlords to abide by various anti-price gouging and eviction protections”. However, their opposition mischaracterizes the law’s purpose and impact. Good Cause Eviction does not strip landlords of their right to regain possession of their properties. Instead, it ensures that evictions are based on legitimate reasons, protecting tenants who comply with their lease agreements from being unfairly displaced.
“The Chamber’s framing of tenant protections as incompatible with “business-friendly” practices is a false and harmful binary. Their alignment with property owners and landlords to the exclusion of tenants undermines the very workforce that fuels Binghamton’s economy. Economic growth is not possible without housing stability, and the Chamber’s position disregards this important reality.
“We call on the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce to reconsider its opposition and instead champion policies that prioritize housing stability and economic justice for all members of our community. Now is the time for urgent action to address the housing crisis and ensure Binghamton remains a place where everyone can thrive.”