Tenants and housing advocates rallied outside Hempstead Village Hall Tuesday night in below-freezing temperatures, demanding that village officials strengthen protections for renters amid an ongoing housing affordability crisis.

The demonstrators are urging the village board to adopt the Good Cause Eviction Law, a measure that would require landlords to provide a legal justification to evict tenants and would limit large rent increases. Supporters say the law would help prevent sudden displacement and stabilize housing for vulnerable residents.

Among those at the rally was Peggy Moise, a Hempstead resident who said she is currently living in shelters after being evicted. Moise told News 12 that her situation might have been avoided if stronger tenant protections had been in place.

“I’m here today because I refuse to watch another family like mine get evicted,” Moise said. “It’s cold out here.”

Following the rally, activists packed the village board meeting, pressing officials who previously voted against the proposal to explain their opposition. Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. said the village does not need to pass additional legislation, arguing that New York state already provides strong tenant protections.

“New York state is the most protected as it pertains to tenants,” Hobbs said. “It takes sometimes two to three years to evict someone. So I don’t want to duplicate protections that are already in place.”

Village Trustee Tanya Carter voiced concerns about unintended consequences, saying her vote was aimed at protecting homeowners and business owners in Hempstead.

“We have issues with squatting,” Carter said.