A law aimed at curbing code violations and police
calls by downsizing multi-family buildings in an Orange County city is now
creating some unintended problems for renters who say they’re facing
homelessness because of it.
Cathy Perrone, of Middletown, lives in a multi-family building
on Claremont Court and is scrambling to find a new place after her landlord
notified her that the unit she’s lived in for five years no longer legally
exists.
“I have to be out by May
1,” says Perrone. “Right after a
pandemic they’re going to tell us to get out? How is that even possible?”
The changes fall under the city of Middletown’s amortization law
that’s now in full effect. The law downsizes multi-family units in residential
areas by at least one apartment per building citywide.
Mayor Joe Destefano says the law passed in 2008 and that
landlords have been repeatedly advised to notify tenants of the deadline to
make changes.
“It’s a different time then when these houses were converted in
the 60s and 50s to multi-unit housing,” says Destefano. “You have houses now – a 3 or 4
family home on a 50-foot lot – that just doesn’t cut it anymore.”
The law impacts 150
multi-family homes in Middletown.
Officials say they hope it’ll help reduce code enforcement problems
and police complaints but some residents, like Perrone, say the changes are
ill-timed during a housing crisis and skyrocketing rental costs.
“It’s $2,000
for a one bedroom or a two bedroom,” says Perrone. “It’s one month’s rent, one-month
security and a month realtor’s fee. That’s ridiculous. Six-thousand dollars to
move.”
That’s a big jump from the $850 a month Perrone says she
pays now.
Destefano says anyone having trouble can call his office for
help at 845-346-4100 or
email him directly at mayordestefano@yahoo.com.