Dear Editor:
Two weeks ago various media outlets reported on the opening of the Marineview Plaza moderate income housing waiting list and the camp-outs that ensued. What I found very disappointing was the number of out-of-town “campers” that waited on line for apartments here in our city. Now I know the law allows for this, however I feel it’s high time the laws change.
Hoboken certainly is facing an affordable housing crisis, (with the exception of affordable units built by Councilman Roberts on Park Ave. and Frank Raia on Monroe St.) The problem has exploded over the past eight years. Massive development of luxury apartments by the mayor’s campaign contributors seems to be the administration’s only real concern.
Now it’s time the city council establish its true independence and draft a resolution urging our state and national representatives to establish a law that allows cities like Hoboken to grant preferential treatment to Hoboken residents that made this city their legal residence for at least one year. After all, it’s the City of Hoboken that grants these the tax abatements. So it should be our residents that get the end benefit.
Once all waiting lists are depleted and every needy Hobokenite is taken care of, then the remaining affordable units can be offered to those from out of town.
A “charity begins at home” policy is long overdue.
Tony Soares
Councilman At Large