Building inspector visit under fire
KINGSTON, N.Y. » Six city lawmakers say the “mere suggestion” by a building inspector that a single mother with a family find larger housing is particularly disconcerting during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members of the Common Council issued a statement Friday, Oct. 16 on the case involving the building inspector visit to the Midtown apartment.
The lawmakers, all Democrats, are Common Council President Andrea Shaut; Aldermen Jeffrey Ventura Morell; Ward 1, Alderman Rennie Scott- Childress, Ward 3, who is the council’s majority leader; Tony Davis, Ward 6; Alderwoman Rita Worthington, Ward 4; and Alderwoman Michele Hirsch, Ward 9.
“In these difficult times of Covid and increasing rents, the City of Kingston should be doing all it can to keep residents in their homes,” the joint statement says. “Members of the Common Council were distressed to learn recently about a single mother with two young children who recently received a visit from a City of Kingston Building Safety Inspector.”
The issue was first reported by Spectrum News.
“During this visit it was suggested they leave their current
rental unit ( by October 31) to look for a larger living space,” the statement added. “While the inspector appears to have followed proper procedure, even going out of her way to call the Immigrant Defense Fund to assist in communicating with the tenant, the mere suggestion of having to search for a new home in this time of crisis can cause severe anxiety.”
The lawmakers pointed out that Mayor Steve Noble has said that the case was not a matter of eviction.
“Mayor (Steve) Noble has said this is not an eviction, but merely a “suggestion” to better their situation,” the statement reads. “While we understand that the City has a responsibility to ensure that all tenants have access to housing appropriate to their circumstance, we question the wisdom of making this request of this mother at this time.”
On Monday, Noble responded to the lawmakers’ statement.
“Our inspector revisited the home and restated that there was no mandate to leave,” Noble said in an email. “To be clear, no date was ever given to Ms. (Isaura) Riveramarin to find alternative housing.”
“We care passionately about each and every member of this community,” the mayor added. “When our inspectors see something during an inspection or follow up visit that is unsafe — such as fire exits being blocked by large furniture — it is their obligation to address the situation immediately.”
The council members say that during a pandemic that has “only heightened the dire nature of Kingston’s housing crisis, and in the midst of a Moratorium on Covid Related Residential Evictions by Governor Cuomo that has been extended through January 1, 2021, the city should be assisting those who are struggling.
“A suggestion of this nature even if unintended, from the City of Kingston, with its power of authority, places the mother in a situation where she could easily presume no other option than to move,” the lawmakers added.
The lawmakers say while the case does not reflect an official eviction it could be perceived as one.
“Our opinion that this suggestion has, in principle, the force of an eviction,” the statement says. “While we investigate the matter, and work to understand the current protocol and laws surrounding this incident, we implore the mayor to take immediate steps to rectify this situation, and to assure this family the housing rights we all deserve.”
In a Sunday, Oct. 11 Facebook post, Noble empathized that the family was not being evicted.
“A City inspector did visit the home on September 11 to follow up on issues corrected by the landlord,” Noble said. “At that time, the tenant’s apartment was found to be too small for the number of occupants. (State code) states that an efficiency apartment with three occupants requires a minimum of 320 square feet of space.
Nobel said the inspector informed the tenant that she should begin looking for a larger space.
“The apartment was not posted and no eviction was issued,” Noble added. “The inspector provided contacts for agencies that could assist Ms. Riveramarin with finding a more suitable space.”
“The City of Kingston is committed to ensuring that every person has a safe place to live,” Noble added. “The Building Department upholds the duty of protecting the health and safety of our residents to the highest degree. It would never be the policy of my administration or any City department to jeopardize the safety of our residents.”
“We will do whatever we can to help Ms. Riveramarin and her family make the transition,” Noble added.