Last Tenant In Ill-Fated Hoboken Rent Control Building Speaks Out

HOBOKEN, NJ — Last year, a property owner in Hoboken applied to the city tear down three rent controlled apartment buildings.

But tenants were still living in the buildings, and state law doesn't allow landlords to evict tenants simply because the owner wants to sell or demolish the structure.

In order to get variances for a new project, a property owner must demonstrate that the new use benefits the city.

Members of the public testified to the city last year that the project shouldn't get approval. And they said that a landlord should make it clear that tenants are leaving voluntarily if a building is to be torn down, in light of the lack of affordable units in town.

The City Council members said they had no choice but to approve the project. But they said perhaps they should work on legislation in case such a situation happens again.

Now, there's one tenant left in the building.

Anti-Warehousing Issue?

Back in the 1980s, when tenants were being forced out of Hoboken apartments, the city passed anti-warehousing laws, meant to ensure landlords didn't hold units vacant for months to wait for rents to rise, which reduced available housing stock.

In her letter below, the tenant who's still in the building — who is also a longtime volunteer for several groups in Hoboken — asks what the city is doing about the situation:

Letter: What Will Officials Do About Hoboken Tenants Experiencing Warehousing?

Dear Editor,

My name is Erica Seitzman. I am a 24-year resident of Hoboken.

Two years ago, I submitted a letter to the editor describing how my landlord was taking steps to tear down the rent-controlled building where I live and replace it with unaffordable non-rent stabilized units.

The landlord of 325/327/329 Grand St. initially obtained permission from the Hoboken Zoning Board of Adjustment for this new project. It was stalled for a number of reasons.

At this moment, I am the remaining resident in my building at 325 Grand Street with the 7 other units vacated, or soon to be so. The same has taken place at the adjoining buildings of 327 and 329 Grand St.

Warehousing is a tactic undertaken to purposefully keep units vacant and thereby encourage displacement. Here in Hoboken, this is blatantly illegal and not enough resources, support, and attention have been given to these nefarious topics.

As a volunteer housing advocate for the Hoboken Homeless Shelter and current Hoboken Housing Authority Commissioner, I am aware of housing laws and my rights as a tenant.

I have reported this case to the city. I await for any concrete steps to be taken to rectify this situation and issue the necessary fines.

I am deeply troubled by the city’s neglect of protecting affordable housing and wish to call attention to the ongoing need to defend tenants in Hoboken.

The statements above are made in my capacity as a private citizen, and not in my capacity as a board member. These statements are also not representative of the board or its individual members, and solely represent my own personal opinions.

PAST REPORTING: Hoboken Hearing About Demolishing Rent Controlled Buildings To Continue Wednesday