A New York Republican lawmaker, Senator Mario Mattera, is speaking out against the state’s squatting “epidemic” by introducing a bill that would allow police to immediately evict squatters. Mattera highlighted instances of violent and deadly squatting cases in New York City, including one where a man was brutally beaten with a baseball bat by a squatter. He emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue to prevent further harm and deaths caused by squatters. Mattera’s bill, modeled after a law in Florida that was signed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, aims to eliminate the “squatter scam” and provide law enforcement with the tools needed to address the problem.
The bill introduced by Mattera, Senate Bill S8867, would allow police to evict suspected squatters based on the legal homeowner’s sworn testimony complaint, without the need for court intervention. The legislation also aims to protect individuals wrongfully removed from a property, offering triple damages, restoration of possession, and attorney fees for the aggrieved party. Additionally, the bill redefines the definition of “occupant” to exclude squatters and trespassers. Mattera has connected the issue of squatting to broader concerns about law and order in the state, urging for the repeal of cashless bail laws that allow repeat offenders to be released back onto the streets.
Mattera has criticized New York’s current laws, which allow squatters to claim rights to a property after living there for a short period of time, and pointed out cases where individuals have exploited the system by producing fraudulent documentation or receipts to claim occupancy of a property. He has called on Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams to rescind sanctuary city and state policies that he believes are enabling illegal migrants to take over properties. Mattera cited a case in the Bronx where eight migrant squatters were arrested after taking over a property and possessing guns and drugs, with six of them being released without bail.
The issue of squatting in New York has emerged amidst an influx of illegal migrants in New York City, where more than 175,000 migrants have arrived in the last two years. Mattera expressed concern over a viral video on TikTok that encouraged migrants to take over vacant homes, suggesting that the message has already had an impact. He called for immediate action to address the situation and prevent further exploitation of squatting laws by migrants. Mattera believes that his bill will give law enforcement the necessary tools to remove unauthorized occupants from properties and restore law and order in the state.
While Mattera is working to pass his bill, he noted that Democrats have been largely absent from addressing squatting issues. However, there is a similar bill in the New York Assembly sponsored by both a Republican and Democrat, which gives Mattera hope that bipartisan support can be achieved to tackle the problem. He emphasized the importance of addressing squatting issues to prevent further harm and create a safe environment for New Yorkers. Mattera highlighted the impact of bad laws on the state’s population, with over 1.5 million people leaving New York due to concerns about safety and the effectiveness of existing legislation. He called on state leaders to take immediate action to address the squatting crisis and ensure the well-being of residents.
