On September 30, the Jersey City Council unanimously passed two ordinances to strengthen rent control enforcement and increase transparency for tenants.
- One ordinance establishes mandatory minimum fines for landlords who violate rent control rules.
- The other requires mandatory disclosure of rent increases, ensuring tenants know how and why their rent is being raised.
A third ordinance, which would clarify exemptions under state rent control law, was sent back to first reading for further review.
These steps mark important progress toward holding landlords accountable and protecting tenants from unlawful rent hikes. For the thousands of Hudson County families living paycheck to paycheck, stronger enforcement means greater stability and dignity.
For The Waterfront Project (WFP), this victory is more than local news. It is a blueprint for what is possible across New Jersey when tenants, advocates, and local governments stand together to protect housing as a human right.
Here in Hudson County, more than 6,000 eviction filings have been made since mid-2023. Rising rents and speculative development continue to destabilize families in Jersey City, Bayonne, Union City, and beyond. Without rent control and eviction defense, low-income tenants are left vulnerable to unjust displacement.
Passaic’s ordinance shows us another way. It proves that:
- Community organizing matters. Tenants pushed for this law for years. Their persistence brought change.
- Policy can prevent homelessness. By closing loopholes and capping rent hikes, families can stay in their homes.
- Local victories ripple outward. Other municipalities now have a model for stronger, tenant-centered protections.
At WFP, we see every day how unjust evictions and skyrocketing rents push families to the brink of homelessness. That is why we fight in court to secure housing stability for our neighbors.
The Work Ahead
We’ll be watching closely to ensure these ordinances are implemented effectively — because housing is a human right, and laws must work for the people they’re meant to protect.
Join Us in the Fight
- Donate to sustain WFP’s free legal representation and housing counseling.
- Volunteer to support our clients navigating eviction and housing crises.
- Advocate with us for fair rent policies and fully funded housing programs.
Housing justice is possible when we act together. Let’s make sure what happened in Jersey City happens across the state.
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