HOBOKEN RENT CONTROL REFERENDUM PETITIONS SUBMITED TO CLERK FOR CERTIFICATION – CLOCK STARTS TICKING ON SPECIAL ELECTION

Over 2,100 Signatures collected – 1,342 Certified Signatures Needed to Trigger Special Election

HOBOKEN, N.J., MAY,20^th 2024  – The Committee of Petitioners have submitted over 2,100 signatures to the City Clerk for certification that will trigger a special election to reform Hoboken’s Rent Control Ordinance – the clerk has 20 days to certify signatures on the petitions.  1,342 certified signatures are needed to trigger a special election.

“We recognize the profound moment that Referendum represents and we are guided by Hoboken’s recent demonstration that is conceptually interested in providing affordable housing and in equity for multi-family and condo owners, but that without citizen action, it is unlikely to occur.  50 years of waiting is enough to persuade us to propose a solution that lets the voter govern the municipality when government is incapable or unwilling to do so,” said Ron Simoncini, Executive Director of the Mile Square Taxpayers Association.

“A prior compromise between the landlords and the tenant advocates that was passed by the council last year did not survive a Mayoral veto, and the recent rhetoric suggests that some arms of government are again taking a messaging stance rather than an informed policy stance and none of suggested alternatives.”

The Committee of Petitioners have a mutual interest in the success of Hoboken and equity in housing with strong ties to the city: two are longtime residents who own small mom-and-pop properties and are senior citizens living on fixed incomes, another is a private homeowner and past renter in Hoboken, one is a former City Councilmember and current real estate agent, another is a current renter who has experience in the real estate and development industries – but holds no real estate investment interest in the City itself.

Once the petitions are certified, the proposed amendment is then treated as if it was passed as a first reading by the City Council.  Then, the Council has 20 days to act and if they fail to pass the amendment as written or a compromise with the Committee of Petitioners isn’t made, it goes to the ballot unless the Committee withdraws. There are variables in the timing of when a special election would occur – but considering today’s submission a special election that will only be associated to this rent control reform amendment would be sometime in late August or early September.

To read the petition and ordinance in full – please click here.

For More information please visit: https://hobokenmsta.com/