ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — On Oct. 7, the Essex County freeholder board passed a resolution in support of New Jersey Assembly Bill 4034, which aims to provide protection to tenants, homeowners and landlords who have suffered significant financial losses due to the coronavirus pandemic. The bill, known as “The People’s Bill,” will help renters avoid eviction, and help homeowners and landlords of single and multifamily homes avoid mortgage default by creating pauses and repayment plans on their rent and mortgage payments.
The resolution of support was initiated by Freeholder President Brendan Gill, sponsored by acclamation and passed unanimously. The primary sponsor of “The People’s Bill,” Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake of the 34th District, was invited by Gill to the recent freeholder meeting to speak to the board and the viewing public about the benefits of the bill.
Timberlake, who is also the former president of the Essex County freeholder board, articulated the details and spirit of the bill — which is geared to prevent the rise of homelessness due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“What this very important piece of legislation does, is make sure that those who have been economically impacted by COVID-19 in a negative way, will be able to keep a roof over their head whether they are a homeowner or a renter,” Timberlake said. “The bill creates a uniform mortgage forbearance for homeowners, and outlines what a fair mortgage forbearance is. The bill also makes sure that a fair rent repayment plan is put into place.”
Organizations such as NJ Citizen Action, Fair Share Housing Center, Ironbound Community Corporation, and the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey assisted in authoring the bill, and since its introduction the bill has gained support from more than 100 organizations. Specifically, the bill allows any person who has experienced loss of employment, increased expenditures related to childcare or unexpected funeral expenses during COVID-19 to apply for a repayment plan option for their housing payments. Additionally, the bill will mandate a moratorium on evicting tenants until after the 60th day following the end of the emergency period, which is defined as the period during which a public health emergency exists in the state of New Jersey as declared by Gov. Phil Murphy in Executive Order No. 103.
“The People’s Bill” was reported out of the Assembly Committee and the corresponding bill, No. 2340, is now before the Senate. Copies of the freeholder board’s resolution will be forwarded to Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and the members of the Essex County State Legislative Delegation.
“Hopefully this resolution will be heard by our leadership in the Senate,” Gill said. “It is time to move this bill forward and get it to the governor’s desk.”
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