Rough Draft and the Kingston Tenants Union welcome Samuel Stein, author of Capital City: Gentrification and the Real Estate State, for a reading and discussion about issues facing cities all over the country, including Kingston.

Sam will read from Capital City, and will then be joined by Betsy Kraat, a founding member of the Kingston Tenants Union, for conversation and an audience Q&A.

Gentrification, housing, and displacement are hot-button issues in Kingston right now: Evictions in Kingston are up 65% since 2016, and rents since 2002 have increased by 50% while wages have decreased slightly. The city is in the midst of a rent crisis, defined as having a vacancy rate of 5% or less for rental properties.

We hope this event will bring together people with different perspectives and different interests in this area, for an evening that will be eye-opening and educational for all. This event is free, and Capital City will be available before and during the event for 10% off the cover price. Beverages and refreshments can be purchased at the bar; please, no outside food or drink.