Latest news with #RebeccaRathmell
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Binghamton Police criticized for how they roust the homeless
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – An argument has erupted over how Binghamton Police are conducting sweeps of homeless encampments. Earlier this week, News 34 received reports of police taking steps to remove homeless people from tents along the Susquehanna Riverbank between 434 and the Exchange Street Bridge. A volunteer with the local homeless advocacy group The Wagon Train Warriors, Mike Carter, tells News 34 he saw police roust the camp late Monday night, and those staying there were not able to bring their personal belongings with them. City Council member Rebecca Rathmell says because of a lack of emergency housing, there's not many other places these people can move to. 'When there aren't shelter beds, and when we're not building enough affordable housing, the only alternative is another unsheltered location. And that's far from a solution,' said Rathmell. 'There's nothing humane about an encampment response that forces humans from the site they're calling home, because they have no alternative.' Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham says the people are choosing to live on the river. Kraham tells News 34 he has asked Binghamton Police to review the body cam footage from Monday night. In the past, News 34 has witnessed police respectfully asking the campers to leave and even helping them move their belongings. Binghamton Police criticized for how they roust the homeless Veterans' stories recorded in Owego BU hosts first ever Empowered Women Leaders Conference SUNY Broome Robotics Team finding success this season Homer man charged after fleeing from police Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Binghamton rental program cracks down on code enforcement
BINGHAMTON, NY (WIVT/WBGH) – A Binghamton City Councilmember introduced new legislation that would require every landlord to obtain a license and crack down on the landlords not keeping their properties up to code. Binghamton City Councilmember Rebecca Rathmell announced the new Proactive Rental Housing Inspection Program yesterday. The program would change the City of Binghamton's traditional complaint-based code enforcement system, and require landlords to register for a license, and submit to routine property inspections. Rathmell says landlords who aren't up to code will be fined, and that money could be put towards rehabilitation or relocating. She estimates the program will generate around a million dollars a year. 'But if we have now a new, dedicated funding source, because we're responsibly tracking and identifying and inspecting rental units, we will now also have the resources to support the landlords that do want to make repairs,' says Rathmell. Rathmell anticipates, if passed into law, four more code enforcement officers would need to be hired to inspect all of the properties. She says as of now, the city doesn't have an official rental registration, so there could be anywhere from 12,000 to 19,000 rental properties in Binghamton. Rathmell says the Proactive Rental Program will establish a registry of landlords and their properties. She says there will be several town hall meetings for the community to provide feedback on the proposal. Binghamton's Mayor Jared Kraham says he is reviewing the legislation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Good Cause Eviction passes through Binghamton City Council
BINGHAMTON, NY (WIVT/WBGH) – After months of meetings, hearing both positive feedback and push back, Binghamton City Council unanimously passed the Good Cause Eviction Law yesterday. City Council says Good Cause Eviction will prohibit landlords from making unwarranted evictions, prevent rent hikes, and hold bad landlords accountable. The law has been adopted by 12 municipalities across the state to address homelessness resulting from forced displacement. Majority leader, Rebecca Rathmell says almost 2,000 people, including 700 families with children, faced homelessness in Broome County last year. City Council says it is working to distribute educational materials for landlords and tenants, plus, it's developing a monitoring strategy to track the law's impact and allow for future amendments. The law needs a final signature from Mayor Kraham to take effect. But Kraham doesn't fully support the law. He released a statement that says, bringing New York City style housing regulations to Binghamton will backfire. Pushing out good landlords, discouraging investment in rental properties, and hurting the very people this legislation intends to help. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
City Council postpones Good Cause Eviction to amend the law
BINGHAMTON, NY (WIVT/WBGH) – Binghamton City Council decided to postpone its vote on the proposed Good Cause Eviction Law yesterday but remains optimistic that it could be passed as early as next week. Council member Rebecca Rathmell spoke with News 34 and says city council decided not to vote on the law at its meeting yesterday, to amend some of its language, so it can take effect as soon as possible. The law would create additional protections for tenants against unjust, retaliatory evictions, it would limit rent increases of more than 10% and would allow tenants to renew their lease if they didn't violate it or fail to pay rent. She says the focus on Good Cause Eviction, is a reflection of the current housing crisis which she says requires urgent action. Rathmell says with the current language, the law wouldn't take effect until 60 days after being passed, so city council is looking to amend it, so it takes effect as soon as it passed. As well as amending the definition of a nuisance and a landlord's grounds for temporarily taking a property off of the market, such as for lead abatement. She says the decision comes after talking with other upstate municipalities who have adopted the law, including Rochester. Rathmell says city council may call a special meeting to vote on the new, amended law, as early as next week. She expects the law to pass unanimously. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
