Should Rent Controlled Buildings Be Torn Down? Hoboken Council To Decide Wednesday

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken's City Council will consider, at a meeting Wednesday, whether three rent controlled buildings on Grand Street — where tenants currently live — should be torn down.

[UPDATE: The meeting ended early. See coverage here.]

The owner of the buildings got permission from the Zoning Board to demolish the buildings and build new housing in their place.

But other Hoboken residents, including tenant advocates, have appealed the ruling, making several arguments — including saying that the city should make sure existing tenants aren't forced out unfairly.

Michael Evers said that the zoning board, in approving the application, adopted a "cavalier attitude" toward the idea that approvals should be contingent on making sure the tenants aren't illegally displaced.

In addition, zoning board members are instructed to make decisions in which the good outweighs the detriment. Evers said that the board was "failing to address the destruction of rent-controlled housing as a negative criteria in making their decision."

Rents in the mile-square city have risen to a median of more than $4,000 a piece, leaving few options for a longtime tenant who has to leave a stabilized building. READ MORE: Rents In Jersey City, Hoboken Highest In Country. But Are They Legal?

The city's Rent Control Ordinance keeps rent increases to the Cost of Living Adjustment, but allows landlords to pass along certain surcharges and other costs. The measure allows tenants to budget for stable rent increases, keeping a mix of socioeconomic groups in town.

The Ordinance mainly applies to buildings constructed more than 30 years ago, although it applies to newer buildings that didn't apply for a state exemption, as well.

The application to rebuild housing in that spot says that the owner will include 10 percent affordable units in the new buildings — but, tenant advocates argue, this will be long after the longtime tenants of the building must leave.

Tenants Hang On

A tenant in a building that was facing demolition last year told Patch that she looked around to find another place to move, but was unable to. READ MORE: Longtime Renters Fear Displacement

The tenant also said that her landlord had pressured her to move out, telling her she'd have to be out in a few months, when in fact, state laws protect her from eviction without just cause, even if the building will be sold or torn down.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday. You can watch it here.

See excerpts from Michael Evers' testimony below, and read the application and more information in the agenda packet here.

325-329 Grand St.

RELATED: Hoboken Landlord Group Pushes For Rent Decontrol Referendum; Mayor Calls It 'Offensive'