Port Jervis Housing Challenges and Changes
Three officials provide perspectives on the situation.
Small bugs greeted Port Jervis Fourth Ward Councilman Stan Siegel as he climbed the stairs inside a Ball Street house to address a tenant conflict, he said. The tenant wanted to deduct money from her rent to pay an exterminator.
“People live in substandard housing that shouldn’t be allowed,” Siegel said.
Siegel has complained about the conditions of two multi-family buildings at 171-175 Ball St. for years.
“A building inspector can’t go into a building with less than three apartments unless a tenant or the owner calls them, but tenants worry about eviction because of the lack of affordable housing,” he said. “They pay $1400-1600 for substandard housing. We have some good landlords, but we have to address absentee landlords. Despite laws, we’re in the same place, with the same landlords as problems. We redesigned the code at the end of last year, but this is disappointing. Codes should be enforced. What’s good for one is good for other people.”
Siegel recently quit the Port Jervis Code Committee in frustration, he said, noting that he has been on the committee during all his 21 years as councilman. Meanwhile, First Ward Councilman Jason Vicchiariello, chair of the Code Committee, has a different perspective.
“We’re always looking for ways to get compliance with building codes,” he said. “But sometimes landlords just pay the fines. It’s a delicate balance with government overreach. Whenever you change the law or fine, you could force good guys out of business, leaving the rich slumlords.”
In finding a way to better address this longstanding challenge, he said, “I’m open to any suggestions.”
As for Ball St., he said, “Many on Ball St. are trying to have their houses looking nice. That street has many great houses. It shouldn’t be judged by two houses. Port Jervis has many great things going on, including construction.”
Providing a longer range view was Valerie Maginsky, executive director of Port Jervis Community Development Agency. She wrote the application for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative resulting in the $10 million award to Port Jervis that will fund construction of a multitude of new apartments in the city, including two substantial, innovative apartment buildings that will offer affordable housing. The grant will also support other downtown improvements, including a multi-media art venue with residential space for artists.
“People are waiting on funding contracts,” Maginsky said. “People are interested in coming to Port Jervis, and properties are being turned over and improved on. Port Jervis is a Pro-Housing Community,” meaning the city is state certified as pro-housing because of its activities that support housing growth. The designation increases eligibility for grants.
“People are interested in coming to Port Jervis,” Maginsky said. “The city needs more housing. We need to do more housing research.”
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