One week after the board of the housing authority met in private with legal counsel, Executive Director Bill Simmons dismissed the meeting as a typical review. He sat down with Central Current for a Q&A.
Housing
Posted inHousing
Syracuse Housing Authority’s board won’t say what prompted closed-door meeting over ‘personnel matters’Â
Calvin Corriders, the president of SHA’s board, declined to comment on whether embattled Executive Director Bill Simmons was the subject of the private discussion.
Posted inHousing
In 2024, a state law allowing tenants to sue landlords took effect. Advocates say it could be less effective without more action.
The Tenant Dignity and Safe Housing Act has helped Syracuse tenants force landlords to repair homes. But advocates say tenants are still afraid to sue their landlords.
Posted inNews
Central New York’s housing discrimination watchdog fears budget wipeout as federal budget season looms
President Donald Trump proposed cutting funding that fuels housing discrimination watchdogs. If money to fund those organizations is not appropriated by Congress, CNY Fair Housing could lose 70% of its funding.
Posted inElections 2025
Syracuse candidates answer questions about tenant-focused policies as primary races near
Three candidates — Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens, Councilor Amir Gethers and Hanah Ehrenreich — attended the forum, put on by a tenant-focused PAC. Tenants make up 61% of Syracuse residents.
Posted inHousing
Syracuse, Onondaga County measures to stop lead poisoning aren’t doing enough, report finds
Families For Lead Freedom Now on Tuesday released the report. The organization used public records requests to evaluate the effectiveness of policies meant to prevent lead poisoning.
Posted inHousing
State housing voucher program modeled after Section 8 likely to launch in March 2026
With Syracuse’s housing supply and stock in crisis and federal rent aid programs threatened, the state housing voucher program could become key to keeping people housed.
Posted inHousing
Tenant advocates in Syracuse rally for ‘good cause’ eviction legislation as primary elections near
Syracuse lawmakers in February took ‘good cause’ eviction legislation off the Common Council’s agenda. Tenant advocates urged voters to vote for candidates who support ‘good cause.’
Posted inHousing
Advocates say Syracuse needs Section 8. Trump just proposed gutting it.
Under the Trump administration’s proposed budget, rental aid would be reduced by about 40%. The remaining funding would be distributed to states as a block grant.
Posted inHousing
Families in Syracuse having lead hazards fixed in their homes may soon have a place for shelter
Advocates are in the final stages of rehabbing a home to be a “lead freedom house” at 1216 South Ave. It will house families whose homes are having lead hazards fixed.
