The Cayuga Nation says it has regained control of the last of a group of long-disputed properties in Seneca Falls, marking what it describes as the end of a 15-year conflict over housing, rent, and tribal authority.
Nation officials announced this week that the property at 2906 State Route 89 was returned to its control on April 18 following what they characterized as a peaceful resolution after months of noncompliance with an eviction order.
According to the Nation, the occupants had remained in the home beyond a Jan. 5 deadline set by the Cayuga Nation Court, despite being granted additional time to vacate. Officials said the turnover occurred without incident, in contrast to a February eviction elsewhere in Seneca Falls that they say resulted in injuries to Nation police officers.
Leaders say the action closes a broader dispute dating back to 2011, when residents of multiple Nation-owned homes stopped paying rent while challenging the authority of Cayuga leadership. The Nation claims the situation led to more than $600,000 in unpaid rent and damages, while also limiting access to housing for other Cayuga citizens.
Officials also said the prolonged occupancy created complications with federal housing compliance requirements, including inspections and reporting tied to funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The legal battle surrounding the properties has moved through both state and federal courts in recent years. The New York Court of Appeals ruled in 2019 that housing disputes involving the Nation fall under its own judicial system, a decision officials say affirmed tribal jurisdiction. More recently, federal court action in 2024 cleared the way for evictions to proceed after a state court order had temporarily blocked them.
Nation representatives said inspections of the property revealed significant damage and neglect, consistent with conditions found at other reclaimed homes. Some previously recovered properties required demolition due to structural issues, while others have been rehabilitated and returned to use.
In a statement, Cayuga Nation leadership thanked local residents and officials for their patience during the long-running dispute, saying the resolution restores stability to the housing program and reinforces the Nation’s authority over its properties.
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