The Truth About Those Mysterious Calls in Newburgh, NY

I didn't recognize the number calling my phone in the middle of the day, but the 845 area code convinced me to answer. My mistake.

On the other end of the phone was a woman carefully reading her way though a script telling me why, as a Newburgh, NY resident, I was about to be in a world of hurt. Could she count on me to oppose an upcoming decision that would be a "disaster" for me and my neighbors?

Rent Stabilization Could Be Coming to Newburgh, NY

The call was focused on the upcoming possibility of rent control in Orange County, NY. A recent study revealed that Newburgh, NY is able to "declare a housing emergency and opt into rent stabilization". Rent stabilization sounded like a helpful option for many families who struggle monthly just to make ends meet... so who was so interested in making sure I would oppose such a move?

New York REALOTRS Oppose Rent Control in Newburgh, NY

In reality, it shouldn't have come as surprise when I learned who was behind not only the telemarketer-style calls, but also the unsolicited text messages I received the following evening. It wasn't a potential political candidate, but rather a group who could be drastically affected by the measure: the New York Association of REALTORS (NYAR).

Read More: The Most Expensive House for Sale in Newburgh, NY

While the public-facing side of the NYAR (as well as the National Association of Realtors (NAR)) often markets themselves as helpful professionals with the interests of home-buyers in mind, their livelihoods of course depend on real estate sales. That's why they have created their own Political Action Committee (PAC):

The purpose of the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) is clear: to help elect candidates who understand and support their interests... [this] and other political fundraising are the keys to protecting and promoting the real estate industry.

The Debate Over Rent Stabilization in Newburgh, NY

While rent stabilization will help low-income families, the NAR argues it will "shift the burden of economic difficulties, inflation and other costs onto the housing provider with no counterbalance". Since NAR members are paid by "housing providers" and not renters, the motivation is clear for their campaign.

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While a decision in Newburgh, NY hasn't been officially reached, other cities and towns in the Hudson Valley are taking steps towards rent stabilization as well. Currently, New Paltz, NY and Poughkeepsie, NY are conducting vacancy studies, the first step towards rent stabilization.