Bill to provide lifetime housing protections for seniors and disabled renters advances in New Jersey Senate

A bill that would give seniors and people with disabilities lifetime eviction protections has passed in the New Jersey Senate. Bill S-290, sponsored by Senator Brian Stack, who represents Hudson County, aims to amend the Senior Citizens and Disabled Protected Tenancy Act to address the increasing life expectancy and economic challenges of vulnerable populations.

The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee advanced the bill this week in a 4-0 vote.

If passed, the current 40-year protected lease period introduced in 1981 would be extended to cover the lifetime of eligible tenants. The change reflects an increase in life expectancy in the U.S. from 73.92 years to 79.11 years since the law took effect.

“Life expectancy in the United States continues to rise, and this bill will protect members of our most vulnerable populations by allowing them to remain in their homes without detrimentally affecting their living conditions later in life,” Stack said. “By allowing these community members to remain in their homes, we can continue to help those experiencing financial hardship keep a roof over their heads.”

Existing law provides protections for tenants age 62 and older and people with disabilities, protecting them from eviction or significant lease changes based on qualifying income or other criteria. But Stack stressed that extending these protections is essential, especially given the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These protective measures are particularly important at a time when economic disruption has increased sharply,” the bill states.

The U.S. is facing a severe shortage of affordable housing, a crisis that puts many at risk of displacement, according to a report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Forced relocation can disrupt tenants’ ties to their communities, reduce access to health care providers, and lead to deterioration in both physical and cognitive health.

The bill will now move to the full Senate for further consideration.