About Us
Building tenant power through collective action since 2022
Our Mission
The Hudson Valley Tenants Union was created in 2025 by tenants and organizers from the Stony Run Tenants Union in Kingston, New York. We train tenants in both Kingston and throughout the Hudson Valley to use new protections to build their own Tenant Associations.
Our Story
In 2022, Kingston became the first upstate city to opt into rent stabilization in New York state. Roughly 1,000 units were covered by the new law, and 266 of them were at Stony Run apartments. For years, tenants there dealt with a series of slumlords, each somehow worse than the last. Maintenance was neglected, waste water poured out of the walls. When Kingston opted in, Stony Run tenants organized a Tenant Association and mobilized to Rent Guideline Board hearings, demanding a rent reduction.
As far as we know, no rent stabilized city has ever reduced the rent. However, the newly formed Stony Run Tenants Union testified compellingly about the severity of the housing crisis in the city, including the fact that rent doubled in Kingston over the prior 5 years. Because tenants worked to organize their neighbors, Kingston's Rent Guidelines Board passed the first ever rent reduction - 15% lower leases for all stabilized apartments!
While landlords sued the decision again and again, the highest court in NY ruled in favor of tenants and upheld the 15% reduction in June of 2025. Now, rent stabilized tenants in Kingston are filing suits to win their reductions. Other cities throughout the Hudson Valley have tried to follow Kingston's lead, such as Newburgh and Poughkeepsie. Unfortunately, local judges began breaking precedent and overturned those attempts to prevent more rent reductions. That is why tenants are now fighting for the REST Act, which would make it easier for upstate cities to opt in and for more tenants to be covered.
While rent stabilization expansion has been slowed, other tenant protections have spread like wildfire throughout the region. In 2024, NY state passed a version of Good Cause Eviction that allowed upstate cities to opt into Good Cause Eviction. In the year since, 12 cities and towns have successfully opted in, providing tens of thousands of tenants with rights they've never had.
New Good Cause Eviction rights throughout the Hudson Valley and a finally enforceable 15% rent reduction in Kingston means that after years under siege, tenants can go on the offensive. The Hudson Valley Tenants Union was founded by tenants and organizers from Stony Run to help others organize and build tenant power in all of our communities.
Recently Won Rights
Good Cause Eviction
In 2024, the New York State Legislature passed a version of Good Cause Eviction that guarantees tenants the right to lease renewals and an annual rent cap of 8.45%. In the Hudson Valley, 12 cities and towns have already opted in: Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Newburgh, Beacon, Middletown, New Paltz, Fishkill, Catskill, Hudson, Croton-on-Hudson, and Nyack.
Rent Stabilization
Kingston became the first upstate city to opt into rent stabilization, and in 2022 approved the first ever 15% rent reduction. We're fighting for the REST Act to expand rent stabilization across the Hudson Valley.
Tenant Dignity and Safe Housing
In 2024, tenants won the right to proactively sue landlords if the Warrant of Habitability is violated, ensuring safer and more sanitary living conditions.
Join Our Fight for Housing Justice
Together, we're building a movement that puts tenants first and fights for safe, affordable housing for all.