Almost half of the people who live in New Rochelle are renters. That is why city council members say they voted to opt in to what's called Good Cause Eviction Protections.

The move makes New Rochelle the 19th municipality in New York to adopt the legislation that was passed in the 2024 New York state budget.

The law requires landlords to have a valid reason such as non-payment or lease violations before removing a tenant. It also allows renters to challenge sharp rent increases.

The state law has sparked controversy partially for limitations and exclusions.

For example, to be eligible for Good Cause Eviction Protections, New Rochelle tenants must live in a building built before 2009; pay less than 345% of fair market rent; rent from a landlord who owns more than one rental unit total; not live in an owner-occupied building with fewer than 11 units, not live in a co-op or condo; not rent their home as part of an employment agreement; not live in manufactured housing; and not live in rent stabilized, subsidized, or public housing.

Still, New Rochelle lawmakers say the move will help stabilize housing for thousands of families. They say these are reasonable, balanced protections that will cover roughly 10,000 rental units.

According to city leaders, last year more than 1,100 eviction fillings took place in New Rochelle.

As of now, Croton-on-Hudson, White Plains, and Tarrytown are the only other Westchester communities that have adopted the law.