Response to the Jersey City Council’s Comments at the 4/10/23 Caucus Meeting

Let us be clear: our campaign is NOT stalling in our efforts to get the most comprehensive Right to Counsel passed. Jersey City desperately needs this housing justice measure, and comments made by the council at Monday's caucus meeting make this evident.

1) There is 0 EVIDENCE that Right to Counsel encourages people to "not pay rent." If people are behind on rental payments, then the RTC office can help provide resources like rental assistance. Kicking someone out of their homes because they cannot afford to live there is NOT a "justifiable eviction."

2) “Shouldn’t we provide (legal) representation for both tenant and landlord?” Landlords are already represented in court an upwards of 80% of the time. We have said over and over again that RTC helps tip the scales because there is such a huge imbalance in protection from eviction. For any landlord, no matter the size of their properties, the law is already on their side in many cases.

Furthermore, one reason why homeowners are squeezed in Jersey City is because taxes are so high. Shouldn't developers who have avoided taxes and fees for years finally be made to pay their fair share and ease the burden?

Please note as well that the invocation of "mom and pop landlords" is often used to justify the existing status quo that protects landlords in neglecting properties and evicting tenants.

3) It is true that in the current iteration of the Development Fees and Right to Counsel ordinances that many tenants at Portside Towers, who have formed a tenants' association to fight back against illegal rent hikes, or other tenants who live in "luxury" buildings may NOT be covered based on the income threshold. This is an argument for a truly universal policy that does not let anyone fall through the cracks.

Universal programs help the most vulnerable because they get rid of the additional costs and efforts needed to determine eligibility. A relatively stable, middle-class person could be one costly legal battle away from financial ruin. Means-tested programs are arbitrary barriers and do not reflect the full scope of need in our city.

4) A combination of in-house lawyers and aid from local legal service providers can be used for this program. We believe as a campaign that having in-house support will help ensure that need for legal assistance is fully met as opposed to hiring 3rd parties who already have their own cases. The city must make a full commitment to enforcing tenants' rights.

5) The decision to bring the ordinance to the Planning Board for review could potentially lead to more bureaucratic back-logging by council members. We hope this will be a speedy process that in no way undermines a strong plan to make corporate developers pay millions into our affordable housing trust and help fund a new tenants right to counsel.

The law as it currently stands is not "fair and equitable for all." Tenants in Jersey City deserve much more than just expanded mediation services, they need to have housing security and the ability to fight back against landlord negligence and harassment. We encourage tenants in Jersey City to share their stories about renting with us (righttocounseljc@gmail.com) and the council.

We must elevate the voices of those most impacted by this issue, not those who profit off of housing.

A Response to “Jersey City Tenant Relief Measures Stalled, For Now At Least” in Jersey City Times originally shared on our Twitter.