Trenton – To prevent the permanent displacement of low-income residents, legislation sponsored by Senators Brian Stack and Shirley Turner would require developers to give priority status to tenants who were displaced during the redevelopment of affordable housing. The bill was passed by the Senate and sent to the Governor for final approval.
“As a mayor and representative of residents in Hudson County, I support efforts to re-develop older affordable housing. However, I absolutely have a problem when people become permanently displaced due to these redevelopments,” said Senator Stack (D-Hudson). “To prevent people from being forced to move, this legislation would give priority status to low-income tenants for the new affordable housing units in the redeveloped buildings.”
“Oftentimes, Black and Brown people and individuals among the economically disadvantaged are at the highest risk of housing displacement when redevelopment takes place,” said Senator Turner (D-Hunterdon, Mercer). “Prioritizing those who are going to be affected by redevelopment will help to prevent harmful permanent displacement, which we have historically witnessed in many cities.”
The bill, S-3321, would amend the State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) by requiring the prioritization of tenants through tenant-based vouchers after they become displaced. Prioritization would be granted to displaced tenants as a result of the redevelopment of the affordable housing development they already live in. Under the existing SRAP, funding is reserved for senior citizens and veterans.
The bill passed by the Senate by a vote of 38-0.