The Department of Housing Initiatives is a newly established department dedicated to support housing planning in the City of Kingston. The Department manages housing-related grants, supports the construction of new market-rate and affordable housing, develops policies to protect existing residents, and addresses the connection between housing and sustainability, health, and mobility. The Department also reviews the disposition of city-owned property suitable for housing development and collaborates with local and regional housing organizations.
Upcoming Housing-Related Public Events & News
Citywide Rezoning: Version 3.0 of the Kingston Forward draft has been released. For more information, visit https://engagekingston.com/kingston-forward. This draft 3.0 will be referred to the City of Kingston Common Council. The Common Council will be asked to set a public hearing and public comment submission window and refer the third draft to the Ulster County Planning Board, City of Kingston Planning Board, and the Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission. Information on the public hearing and comment submission process will be posted here once it is available.
To review public comments and staff responses on the 2.0 draft, click here.
To view public comments and staff responses on the 1.0 draft, click here.
Emergency Tenant Protection Act: On July 28, 2022, the Common Council of the City Kingston passed Resolution 144 of 2022 to declare a housing emergency. That Resolution, based on a careful study of local housing conditions, allows Kingston to opt into the Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA). Mayor Steve Noble signed the legislation on July 29, 2022. The effective date of this legislation is August 1, 2022. For the City's ETPA tenant information hub on Engage Kingston to learn about your rights under this legislation, click here. If you are a tenant or owner, you can also visit DHCR's rent connect website (https://rent.hcr.ny.gov/RentConnect/Welcome) for all relevant forms and documentation.
Active Housing Projects on Engage Kingston
Kingston Forward: Citywide Rezoning
Anti-Displacement Strategies & Tiny Homes Project
City of Kingston Surplus Properties
Emergency Tenant Protection Act Information Hub
Relevant Plans
A Plan for Redevelopment: The City of Kingston’s Vacant and Abandoned Properties
Kingston 2025 Comprehensive Plan
Fact Sheets & Housing Resources
Good Cause Fact Sheet - This fact sheet provides information on Good Cause Eviction legislation and how it impacts tenants and landlords in the City of Kingston.
Housing Development Process - This fact sheet outlines the current process for building new housing in the City of Kingston.
Short-term rentals registration - This summarizes short-terms rental regulations in the City of Kingston. Kingston is enforcing short-term rental regulations and all short-term rental hosts must comply with this registration process.
Landlord-Tenant Housing Mediation Program - This fact sheet provides information on the Landlord-Tenant Housing Mediation Program. This program provides free, confidential mediation from a trained mediator that can help resolve your conflict without having to go to housing court. To get started, fill out an intake form or call the DRC at (845) 372-8771 x 5001 to reach Jolynn Dunn.
Emergency Tenant Protection Act in Kingston, New York (last updated on December 5, 2022) - On July 28, 2022, the Common Council of the City Kingston passed Resolution 144 of 2022 to declare a housing emergency. This fact sheet gives information on the implementation of ETPA in Kingston and contains a list of properties covered by ETPA.
Residential Tenants' Rights Guide - This guide from the Attorney General's Office summarizes renter's rights and protections under New York State Law.
Contact Information
Bartek Starodaj, Director of Housing Initiatives
(845) 334-3928
[email protected]