Kingston Mayor Steve Noble defended his record on housing and tenants’ rights Tuesday, during a time he was slated to deliver his state of the city address.
Noble responded to the previous two hours of community and common council’s comments that were sparked by his veto of a resolution that would keep the Emergency Tenant Protection Act in effect — a veto that was unanimously overturned by the council.
Noble has been at odds with advocates and the common council. Advocates had called the veto a betrayal, saying that Noble was not doing enough to help renters.
Noble said he has concerns that the ETPA resolution will hold up in court, and that he has done more for housing than anyone in the area.
“I was the first to bring ETPA legislation to the council. We were one of the first to pass good cause eviction legislation,” Noble said. “We have passed legislation to spur housing development. We have passed legislation to include affordable housing units and all of those new developments. We have capped short-term rentals and we have done everything possible to encourage ADUs.”
Tenants spoke for nearly two hours Tuesday, calling for the overturn of the veto.
“If you’re looking at the whole picture of it, it was clear to us that it is still a housing crisis in Kingston as well as in the nation. It shouldn’t be surprising,” said Common Council President Andrea Shaut.