Editor:
My name is Erica Seitzman. I am a 24 year resident of Hoboken.
Two years ago, I submitted a letter to the editor describing how my landlord was taking steps to tear down the rent-controlled building where I live and replace it with unaffordable non-rent stabilized units. The landlord of 325/327/329 Grand Street initially obtained permission from the Hoboken Zoning Board of Adjustment for this new project. It was stalled for a number of reasons.
At this moment, I am the remaining resident in my building at 325 Grand Street with the 7 other units vacated, or soon to be so. The same has taken place at the adjoining buildings of 327 and 329 Grand Street.
Warehousing is a tactic undertaken to purposefully keep units vacant and thereby encourage displacement. Here in Hoboken, this is blatantly illegal and not enough resources, support, and attention have been given to these nefarious topics.
As a volunteer housing advocate for the Hoboken Homeless Shelter and current Hoboken Housing Authority Commissioner, I am aware of housing laws and my rights as a tenant.
I have reported this case to the city. I await for any concrete steps to be taken to rectify this situation and issue the necessary fines.
I am deeply troubled by the city’s neglect of protecting affordable housing and wish to call attention to the ongoing need to defend tenants in Hoboken.
Erica Seitzman
Hoboken, NJ
The statements above are made in my capacity as a private citizen, and not in my capacity as a board member. These statements are also not representative of the board or its individual members, and solely represent my own personal opinions.