Jammel Cutler reports in Columbia-Greene Media about Democratic First Ward Supervisor Claire Cousin primary challenge against Assemblyperson Didi Barrett. Cousin said her disagreement with Barrett was that she did not sponsor the Good Cause Eviction Law, the Housing Access Voucher Program and the Tenants Opportunity to Purchase Act. Cousin said, “Didi Barrett has refused to co-sponsor any of those bills.... In fact, her record in office is distinctly anti-tenant. In the middle of COVID-19, she voted against two eviction moratoriums, threatening the safety of thousands of families in her district. And she’s voted with Republicans against several other pro-tenant bills over the years.” Barrett is not commenting so far on the housing issues Cousin raises. But Cousin said, “If elected, I will use my experiences as a commissioner for the Hudson Housing Authority to fight for strong tenant protections, expand rent stabilization across the district, and build truly affordable housing via a statewide Social Housing Development Authority. That’s why Tenants PAC has endorsed me; I’m the only candidate in this race who will side with the tenants of my district over corporate landlords and real estate developers.” Barrett did recently announce a $3 million grant through the Capital Projects Grant Program with $1.5 million going toward Habitat for Humanity, and $1.5 million for the Dutchess County-based Hudson River Housing. Cousin did like that move saying, “I applaud the state Legislature’s appropriation of $3 million for Habitat for Humanity and Hudson River Housing, two local nonprofits that have helped house thousands of Hudson residents.... As the co-founder of the Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition and a lifelong renter, I understand the critical importance of funding affordable housing in our community. Every day, rents in Hudson continue to skyrocket, and more families are pushed out of their homes.” Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.