NEW JERSEY APARTMENT ASSOCIATION STATEMENT ON THE U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION TO END THE CDC EVICTION MORATORIUM

NJAA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAYS LANDLORDS NEED ASSISTANCE NOW

In response to yesterday’s Supreme Court decision to end the CDC eviction moratorium, NJAA’s Executive Director David Brogan issued the following statement:

“While the US Supreme Court decision invalidating the CDC’s authority to extend the federal eviction moratorium was not surprising, it has a minimal impact on New Jersey. Not only did New Jersey have its own eviction moratorium, but we also have a pathway back to normalcy. A new law, sponsored by Senator Brian Stack, provides a phased-out approach to New Jersey’s eviction moratorium, legal remedies for landlords, additional rental assistance, and continued protections for tenants in need.”

He continued, “Having said that, the glacial pace in the disbursement of rental assistance is placing added strain on both landlords and tenants. Additionally, the expectation that landlords can continue to meet their financial obligations without rent revenue is completely unreasonable. Rent revenue is the lifeblood of the multifamily ecosystem, and government cannot expect private sector landlords to continue to provide housing for free. Government policies that inhibit or eliminate rent revenue, or allow for the exploitation of eviction moratoria, are not the answer to our housing problems. Furthermore, continued inaction or delays by government to distribute emergency rental assistance to both landlords and tenants in need will lead many small landlords to sell their properties and dissuade others from ever becoming landlords – further exacerbating the housing crisis in our state.”

Mr. Brogan concluded by saying, “It is time for government view landlords as partners, not as enemies, and it is imperative that government view our housing policy more holistically, rather than picking winners and losers. Government must step up and do more to help landlords and they must do so without further delay. If not, the ramifications of such inaction will not only negatively impact our housing ecosystem today, but for decades to come.”

The New Jersey Apartment Association (NJAA) is the premier trade association representing all facets of the multifamily housing industry, including market rate and affordable housing owners, managers and developers, as well as suppliers. NJAA’s membership owns and manages over 220,000 apartments, providing quality housing to over one million New Jerseyans.