Protect our Renters and Homeowners
Housing Advocates Advance Key Principles for Forbearance and Rent Relief Legislation

5/8/2019

Nearly two months after the coronavirus pandemic shut down our state and unemployment claims continue to rise, the New Jersey Legislature and Governor must act to keep people in their homes now and when the immediate pandemic abates. Through executive order, Gov. Murphy took swift, early action to forestall evictions and foreclosures. With the crisis in its third month, it is time to codify those actions and additional protections into law.

The Compassionate NJ campaign, including dozens of community leaders and housing advocates, is pleased to see legislators advancing ideas and solutions to address the needs of essential workers and vulnerable communities. There are several bills now under consideration—from Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee Chair Troy Singleton, Assembly Housing Committee Chair Benjie Wimberly, and Assembly Community Development and Affairs Committee Vice Chair Britnee Timberlake—intended to address the needs of homeowners and renters. Whatever legislation is ultimately passed should include key principles such as: Mandatory and Universal Forbearance and Rent Relief Options; Fair Repayment Standards; and At Least Six Months of Forbearance and Rent Relief Retroactive to the Start of the Crisis. Over 150 organizations and individual advocates have signed a letter of support for Asw. Britnee Timberlake’s Assembly Bill 3948/Senate Bill 2377 that was circulated over the last two weeks as the legislation that at present best reflects these principles. We all look forward to ensuring those core principles are included in any forbearance and rental relief legislation, so New Jerseyans can weather this crisis in their homes and prevent an economic crisis that harms the most at-risk New Jersey residents.

Click here to view letter in support of A3948/S2377