New York Attorney General Letitia James has taken legal action against the owners and managers of the Kenney apartment complex in Newburgh. Citing appalling conditions including a lack of heat and hot water for extended periods, James seeks to compel the owners to make significant repairs, provide restitution for tenants, and face other financial penalties, as confirmed by the Attorney General's Office.
Residents of this low-income housing development, counting over 100 families and seniors have endured not just chilly winters without consistent heating but also mold, rodent infestations, and structural hazards. "It is outrageous that the Kenney residents have suffered in dangerous and inhumane conditions while their landlords ignored their calls for help," James said, as per the Attorney General's Office. Tenant complaints have reportedly gone unaddressed, leading to hundreds of building code violations, issues noted by city officials and representatives.
Congressman Pat Ryan called the situation "absolutely unacceptable, dangerous" and highlighted the personal impact on community members, including "children and seniors." Speaking to James' office, Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson commended the Attorney General’s decision to act, considering the residents' prolonged suffering. James’ lawsuit aims to install new measures to ensure safer living environments such as hiring heating and mold experts, offering alternative housing for displaced tenants during repairs, and introducing an independent monitor to oversee compliance, according to the Attorney General's Office.
In a show of intergovernmental unity, Newburgh’s Mayor, City Manager, and councilmembers expressed their gratitude to James for her intervention. Mayor Torrance Harvey applauded her efforts to fight for fair and respectful treatment of residents. City Manager Todd Venning pointed to the necessity of escalatory measures when local codes and inspections failed to yield improvements, and the landlords allegedly retaliated against tenants raising concerns. Deputy City Manager Mike Neppl also criticized the negligence of property owners, stating, "When corporate landlords choose profits over people and allow conditions to deteriorate to this level, government has an obligation to intervene and escalate," as noted by the Attorney General's Office.
Community organizations and legal aid groups responded to the announcement by highlighting issues of accountability. Juanita O. Lewis of Community Voices Heard described the announcement as significant for tenants’ rights, while Sam Bergsohn of Legal Services of the Hudson Valley emphasized the role of the requested independent monitor in overseeing tenant conditions. The action taken by James addresses concerns related to conditions in affordable housing developments and seeks to enforce legal standards for safe and habitable housing.
