SCAP, Schenectady landlord group hosting training seminar

PHOTOGRAPHER: File Photo

Schenectady City Hall

SCHENECTADY — The Schenectady Community Action Program will team up next month with Schenectady Landlords Influencing Change to host a landlord training seminar.

The Feb. 15 seminar will cover a number of topics, including landlord responsibilities and rights in an evolving legal landscape at a time when landlords are still grappling with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic that led to a monthslong eviction moratorium and drop in revenue that still has many landlords reeling at a time when expenses have risen sharply due to inflation.

“We’re pleased to be part of this important training for local landlords,” Debra Schimpf, the CEO of SCAP, said in a statement. “We work closely with landlords and tenants every day and understand the challenges, especially in this post-COVID-moratorium landscape. Things are difficult for both landlords and tenants, which is why this seminar is so helpful.”

The event will include presentations by Schenectady Housing Authority on Section 8 housing vouchers, the Schenectady Department of Social Services, city code enforcement and the Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office, according to a news release.

Those interested in attending the seminar must register by Feb. 6.

The seminar comes as issues surrounding housing, particularly affordable housing, have come to the forefront on the state and local levels due to rising rent costs that has made it difficult for some to find a place to live.

Last year, the Schenectady City Council hosted a town-hall style meeting to solicit input from residents on the issue, and lawmakers have even briefly discussed adopting some type of rent stabilization program — a proposition fiercely opposed by landlords.

No legislation has been introduced at this time.

Gov. Kathy Hochul is also looking to address the issue in order to stem the ongoing population exodus by laying out a series of proposals that would bolster the state’s housing stock by 800,000 over the next decade.

Chris Morris, president of SLIC, said the group is working with the city to address concerns of its own, an effort that dates back to last year when members urged city lawmakers to draft legislation to crackdown on unruly tenants who damage properties, leading to fines for landlords who are slapped with code violations as a result.

Morris said the seminar will provide landlords with information on how to navigate those challenges, and provide information on landlord and tenant rights.

“We’re looking to improve the community and the rental situation,” she said. “There are landlords who need help and there are landlords who we need to help in the way of education, because if you don’t know something exists, then you’re not going to do anything about it.”

The seminar will take place on Feb. 15 at the Terrace Ballroom at the Waters Edge located at 2 Freemans Bridge Road in Glenville. The event includes an advanced $10 registration fee ($15 at the door) and includes a training manual, refreshments, door prizes and a certificate of completion.

There is a 100 person cap on the event.

Those interested in attending looking to attend must register by Feb. 6. To register, contact SCAP’s Donna Gonzales at 518-374-9181, or by emailing [email protected], or Morris at 518-209-0666 or [email protected]

Contact reporter Chad Arnold at: [email protected] or by calling 518-395-3120.