Some Ulster County residents who were waiting for rent relief scored a big win Wednesday night.

Kingston tenants have won a historic 15% rent reduction from the Rent Guidelines Board.

The rent relief passed in a 6–3 vote.

More than 1,200 apartments across 64 rent-stabilized buildings will be impacted.

This is the first rent reduction in New York state history and comes after months of organizing by tenants and other grassroots groups.

This rent reduction will apply to all new one- and two-year leases which commenced between August of this year and the end of September 2023.

The Board also voted to create a three-year lookback period for Fair Market Rent Appeals, which allows tenants a one-time challenge to their base rent.