The Fight for Tenant Rights in Rochester: A Call for Housing Justice

By: Chiara for City Council Team

In Rochester, New York, where nearly 60% of residents are renters, the fight for tenant rights is not just a housing issue—it’s a justice issue. With the rising cost of living, stagnant wages, and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, tenants across the city are experiencing evictions, unsafe living conditions, and displacement at alarming rates. It’s time for our city to take bold action to protect Rochester's renters—and that’s exactly what Chiara stands for.

A City in Crisis

According to the U.S. Census Bureau and local housing reports:

• Over 33% of Rochester renters spend more than half their income on housing, classifying them as severely cost-burdened.

• The average rent in Rochester rose by more than 20% between 2020 and 2024, with no matching increase in renter protections.

• In 2023, Monroe County processed over 10,000 eviction filings, with the majority concentrated in Rochester’s most vulnerable communities—particularly Black and Brown neighborhoods already dealing with underinvestment and systemic inequality.

  
  

These numbers aren't just statistics. They're stories of families losing homes, children switching schools mid-year, and elders being displaced from communities they helped build.

The Need for Strong Tenant Protections

Chiara’s campaign is grounded in the belief that housing is a human right. We’re pushing for policies that will ensure every Rochesterian has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. Our fight includes:

✅ Good Cause Eviction Protections – Tenants shouldn’t be evicted without a valid reason. We support legislation that requires landlords to provide “good cause” for evictions, such as non-payment of rent or lease violations, rather than arbitrary or retaliatory reasons.

✅ Rent Stabilization and Transparency – We need limits on extreme rent hikes and stronger oversight of landlords and property management companies, particularly those receiving public subsidies.

✅ Legal Counsel for Tenants – No tenant should face eviction alone. Chiara advocates for a Right to Counsel program that would guarantee free legal representation to low-income tenants facing eviction in housing court.

✅ Investing in Affordable Housing – We’re calling for increased funding for deeply affordable housing projects, especially for residents earning 30% or less of the area median income. This means building truly affordable homes—not just luxury apartments with a few “affordable” units.

✅ Holding Slumlords Accountable – We’ll implement stronger enforcement mechanisms for landlords who neglect their properties, including increased fines and the public release of a “bad landlord list” to inform and protect tenants.

A People-Powered Movement

Chiara’s campaign is about more than policies—it’s about people. We’ve listened to stories from families who were evicted after requesting repairs, from seniors on fixed incomes watching rents climb, and from young professionals unable to afford to live in the neighborhoods they grew up in. We know that these stories are all too common, and we’re building a movement to change that.

By joining this fight, you’re not just supporting a candidate—you’re supporting every renter who deserves dignity, security, and a real shot at building a life in Rochester.

Take Action

The time for half-measures is over. Rochester needs a champion for tenant rights—someone who isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo and fight for the people. That’s Chiara.

💥 Join our housing justice campaign.📝 Volunteer to canvas or phone bank.💰 Donate to support grassroots advocacy.📢 Share your tenant story—because your voice matters.

Together, we can make Rochester a city where no one is priced out or pushed out.