S2122A

The New York State Senate passed legislation Tuesday to expand enforcement authority against zombie properties, vacant buildings that languish for years without accountability. Senate Print 2122A, sponsored by Sen. Fahy, extends the legal window for action against such properties to include the period after foreclosure judgment, closing a loophole that has prevented the Department of Financial Services from prosecuting cases in recent years. The bill passed 57-2, with only Sens. Chan and Oberacker voting in opposition. Sen. Fahy noted that Albany alone has over 1,000 zombie properties that create neighborhood blight and safety hazards. The legislation empowers both DFS and municipalities to take active enforcement roles, providing support to local governments struggling with the burden of addressing vacant properties while helping to introduce new housing stock to address the state's housing crisis.