More Than a Nuisance: The Outsized Consequences of New York’s Nuisance Ordinances

Local laws across New York make the eviction of tenants a consequence of police responses to their homes. Known as nuisance ordinances, these laws are often intended to promote public safety and hold landlords accountable. In practice, because these laws are often enforced based on police response to properties, they can compound the harms associated with police interactions.

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More Than a Nuisance draws on data from municipalities across New York that suggests these laws are predominantly enforced in neighborhoods where more people of color and poor people live. They often threaten harsh punishments, including the loss of one’s home, for minor violations that otherwise would result in a relatively modest fine. They also harm domestic violence survivors and individuals in need of emergency medical assistance.