Singleton Introduces Legislation to Keep People in Their Homes During a Public Health State of Emergency

Trenton – Senator Troy Singleton, Chairman of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee, introduced legislation today, which would suspend evictions, residential foreclosure processes, and modify the terms of mortgage payments and prohibit rent increases during a statewide public health emergency declared by the Governor.

“If we are going to ask people to stay home and demand businesses to cut hours of operation, we have to understand that this will interfere with our residents’ abilities to meet their monthly financial obligations. People should not have to choose between their health and making housing payments or putting food on the table during times of public health emergencies,” said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington).

“The measures we can put in place will allow folks to modify the terms of their mortgage payments and prohibit rent increases to prevent evictions and foreclosures so we can protect people from becoming homeless in the face of this unprecedented public health crisis,” said Senator Singleton.

In the event a public health emergency or a state of emergency is declared by the Governor, this bill would allow them to also issue an executive order to declare that an occupant, tenant, homeowner or any other person would not be removed from a residential property as the result of an eviction or foreclosure proceeding. This executive order would remain in effect for no longer than six months following the end of the public health emergency or state of emergency.

The forbearance period of an emergency-impacted homeowner would conclude no later than six months following its commencement. The repayment period of any mortgage subject to a forbearance would be extended by the number of months it is in effect. During the time of the forbearance, all terms and conditions of the original mortgage would continue without adjustment, and there would be no fees assessed for the forbearance, or penalty for early repayment.