Rent control ordinance applies to all senior citizens regardless of income, and those deemed ‘100 percent disabled.’
New Jersey seniors looking for affordable housing may want to consider an apartment in East Orange.
The Essex County city just passed ab ordinance that prohibits landlords from increasing the rent of all senior citizens, ages 65 or older, or disabled persons by more than 2 percent each year.
Only four states — California, Maryland, New York and New Jersey — and Washington D.C., allow for rent control. It is not, however, controlled at the state level, but is instead set by individual municipalities.
East Orange says its law is the first in New Jersey to apply to all senior citizens, regardless of income. It also covers people who are deemed “100 percent disabled” by the United States Government, according to the ordinance.
“Seniors have a fixed income and it’s not fair for their rent to increase when their income isn’t increasing,” said Mayor Ted R. Green. “We don’t want to push our seniors out of their community.”
First Ward Councilwoman Amy Lewis first introduced the legislation over a year and a half ago, when she was the chair of the Housing, Licensing and Inspection Committee. Current committee chair Tyshammie Cooper sponsored the ordinance.
“In our building, people were really very happy because the landlords know they’re entitled to a four percent increase when your lease is up, it’s never not done, so you prepare for the impact of adding four percent onto rent each year which makes getting this break a really good thing,” said Rebecca Doggett, 77, President of her building’s Tenant’s Association.
The ordinance went into effect June 13 and only applied to lease renewals following that date.
“People elect us to represent them,” said Green. “We have to be the voices for them and we are very proud to bring some relief to our seniors and the disabled. We want to do the best we can to keep them here and let them know we’re fighting for them.”
Delaney Dryfoos may be reached at ddryfoos@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @delaneydryfoos. Find NJ.com on Facebook. New Jersey Real-Time News
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