Approved September 15, 2026

RESOLUTION OF THE GREATER UTICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPPOSING GOOD CAUSE EVICTION OPT-IN IN THE CITY OF UTICA, NY

 WHEREAS, access to safe, quality, and attainable housing is essential to the economic vitality of the Greater Utica region and to the ability of employers to attract and retain employees;

WHEREAS, the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce recognizes that housing costs and housing instability can negatively affect workers, families, employers and neighborhoods;

WHEREAS, the Chamber also recognizes the critical role played by responsible property owners, developers and investors in maintaining, rehabilitating and expanding the region’s housing stock;

WHEREAS, New York State enacted Good Cause Eviction legislation in 2024 allowing municipalities outside New York City to determine whether to opt into the law;

WHEREAS, advocates have requested that the City of Utica opt into Good Cause Eviction;

WHEREAS, the Greater Utica Chamber previously opposed statewide Good Cause Eviction legislation in 2022 because of concerns regarding housing supply, property investment, maintenance costs and unintended consequences to the housing market;

WHEREAS, the legislation ultimately enacted in 2024 differs materially from the proposal considered by the Chamber in 2022, warranting renewed consideration based upon the current law and current conditions in Utica;

WHEREAS, the Chamber believes housing policy should simultaneously promote housing affordability, tenant stability, responsible property ownership, rehabilitation, new construction and continued private investment in Utica neighborhoods;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce does not support the City of Utica opting into New York State’s Good Cause Eviction law at this time;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chamber encourages the City of Utica to undertake an analysis of local rental housing conditions and the potential effects of Good Cause Eviction before considering adoption;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chamber supports meaningful protections for tenants from unsafe housing conditions and irresponsible property owners and supports strong enforcement of existing property-maintenance and housing codes;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chamber encourages policies that increase the supply of market-rate, workforce and affordable housing; encourage rehabilitation of existing housing; support responsible property owners; expand pathways to homeownership; and strengthen Utica neighborhoods;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Greater Utica Chamber offers to work collaboratively with the City of Utica, tenants, housing advocates, property owners, developers, lenders, employers and community organizations to identify comprehensive solutions addressing housing affordability, quality and availability.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon adoption, this resolution supersedes the Chamber’s May 31, 2022 resolution on Good Cause Eviction for purposes of the Chamber’s current position on municipal opt-in under the law enacted in 2024.