NJ.com: Jersey City approves right-to-counsel program to help tenants facing illegal evictions
By Mark Koosau
In a place that’s become known for its sky high rents and cost of living, Jersey City finally has a free program in place that will help tenants facing illegal evictions, funded by the landlords themselves, developers in the city.
The city council voted unanimously Wednesday night in adopting a right-to-counsel program, in which the city will provide free legal representation for tenants facing evictions, and a 1.5-2.5% fee on new developments that would fund its budget.
“You would be hard-pressed to find another city that is doing more on this front than Jersey City, as we have made meaningful policy changes when it comes to affordability and protecting our most vulnerable populations,” Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop said of the new program.
The program, which will be housed under the Department of Housing, Economic Development and Commerce, will allow tenants who are at 80% or below the area median income to seek representation in court if they are served an eviction notice. Attorneys will be either staff employees or a contracted firm.
It will also require the program’s director to compile a tenants’ rights and resources document, which must then be presented to tenants during a leasing, rent demand, or eviction, as well as to tenants of the Jersey City Housing Authority and affordable housing units.
“It’s a huge step for Jersey City working families,” said Councilman James Solomon, who was one of the sponsors of the legislation. “It’s going to level the playing field and ensure thousands of tenants stay in their home when facing illegal and unfair eviction.”
