In a letter to the editor, Hoboken resident Erica Seitzman explains her dilemma where her apartment may be converted into a multi-family residential building.
Dear Editor,
My name is Erica Seitzman. Hoboken has been my home for the last 22 years. Hoboken is an amazing city that often feels like a small hometown.
It has a vibrant city life, caring neighbors, and plenty of parks for my dogs to run around in. I often refer to Hoboken as a small city with massive amounts of community.
I have seen changes in Hoboken over the past 22 years, many positive and sadly, some negative.
Those that know me well will tell you, I am a staunch advocate for many causes. I am proud to be an activist in support of the homeless, public education, and public housing.
I excel at advocating for others but am not always so good at asking for assistance for myself. However, today I need your support.
Here is a brief overview of my situation.
My current apartment building and the ones adjacent to me are being considered by the Hoboken Zoning Board of Adjustment to be converted into a new multifamily residential building with four residential floors above a ground floor parking garage.
A total of twenty (20) units are proposed.
Over the last few years, 45 three and four-family properties have sold, many advertised as ‘can be delivered vacant’ or ‘tenants on a month-to-month lease’ (as if that means they can be asked to leave).
The data demonstrates that the existing rents in the buildings that are being torn down are ALWAYS less than the mega-priced condos (or rentals) that replace them.
If the replacement building has more than 3 units, that new building can be exempted from rent controlled for 30 years. If the building has 3-or less units, although it is rent controlled, the base rent would be whatever the next rental amount is.
What this means is that buildings with low rent are being converted into rentals with higher rental fees – rents that are not affordable for the current tenants, including me. People in this situation have few options remaining but to leave Hoboken.
Now, I am asking for the same assistance, I’m calling on my friends and supporters to please email the city council and mayor in light of the fact that this situation is not unique and affects numerous people in our community.
We need a change in our land use laws so that our land use boards must consider the fact that we have a housing affordability emergency in Hoboken.
Thus, any application to tear down an existing rent regulated building must be considered a negative criterion for any requested variances.
Also, the internal process must be changed so that any and all applications to the zoning officer to tear down a rent regulated building with a plan to rebuild a residential property must be referred to the Housing Division and the city will contact any residential tenants, and those tenants are fully informed of their rights.
This is crucial so tenants can advocate for themselves. I am aware of my rights, I want others to know theirs, too.
To take action, you are welcome to join me at the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting on 11/21 at 7 p.m. at City Hall. I look forward to seeing many of you there.
Erica Seitzman
Hoboken resident