ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — Alderperson Hanna Shvets wants rent debt forgiveness.
The Ithaca lawmaker has introduced a resolution to the Common Council calling for the Vecino Group to drop all rent debt against tenants of the Ithaca Asteri building.
In March, the city fire marshal issued an order to vacate because the building was declared unsafe for living. Residents were displaced for a month while the Vecino Group, which manages the building, was order to clean it up.
“Whereas, City of Ithaca Code Chapter 258-13 says that tenants displaced due to uninhabitable housing are owed liquidated damages, which are equal to double rent prorated by length of displacement,” according to Shvets’ resolution.
“Whereas, after finally being allowed to return, most residents were evicted by the Vecino Group and left with large rent debts and were not paid liquidated damages for their displacement.”
Alderperson Shvets also seeking a stop to evictions for non-payment until the Code Blue season is over. The Common Council will discuss the resolution during their Oct. 14 meeting.
