Union City Mayor Brian Stack is sending a clear message to the landlords in his city – it’s time to clean up or face the consequences.
On Wednesday, the mayor officially announced the formation of the Union City Quality of Life Task Force, which was originally mentioned in a Reporter article last weekend about buildings owned in Union City by Imam Faisal Rauf, who is involved in the controversial proposed Islamic cultural center and mosque at Ground Zero in New York City.
“Landlords should be put on notice,” said Stack in a released statement. “We are investigating apartment buildings in our neighborhoods to actively seek violations and ensure that building owners are complying with regulations.”
Stack added that lack of attention to housing issues compromises the health, safety and well being of local residents.
‘I think we have the opportunity to make some real change here.’ – Mark Albiez
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Responsibilities and purpose
The Quality of Life Task Force, which will have its first meeting late next week, is being charged with the responsibility of identifying fifteen apartment buildings in Union City that require more attention in order to correction violations.
The task force will be comprised of representatives from the police department, building department, health department, tenant advocates, the community development agency, office of fire prevention, rent control office, the department of public works, North Hudson Community Action Corporation and the Board of Education.
According to Stack, the purpose of the Task Force will be to compel building owners to comply with regulations in order to offer a higher standard of living for tenants.
Leaders from each department or organization will have duties related to their respective departments.
Union City Spokesman Mark Albiez said last week that the task force will meet weekly until there is “significant progress regarding having these problems addressed.”
“Does that work ever end? Probably not,” said Albiez. “But certainly we’ll tackle as many issues as we can and then regroup and see where we are.”
The cleanup process
The first meeting of the task force will focus on identifying the 15 buildings in the worst condition and set to work on improving conditions in those. Other buildings are expected to receive their attention over time.
Stack said that his office regularly receives calls from tenants who are experiencing issues that are not addressed in a timely manner and according to Albiez, those calls will be the basis for what needs to be taken on in the immediate future.
“There’s been a surge of complaints in the last couple of months,” said Albiez.
Among those, he said, has been an increase in complaints regarding bedbugs.
Once the list is created, the task force will speak directly with tenants to see what the major problems in the buildings are and use that feedback to evaluate how to proceed.
Landlords will then be contacted to see “how receptive” they are to making the necessary changes.
For those landlords who choose not to be receptive, Albiez said the city will take whatever legal actions need to be taken in order to hold them accountable.
As for how long that process will take, Albiez said it will be determined on a case by case basis and remediation will depend on the severity of the problem.
Stack said that because Union City has one of the highest populations of renting tenants in New Jersey, officials must have a strong, consistent presence so that landlords understand the seriousness of caring for their buildings and the importance of remaining responsive to the needs of tenants.
“I think we have the opportunity to make some real change here,” said Albiez. “And to really reverse some living conditions that aren’t conducive to what residents deserve.”
Addressing abandoned buildings
Within hours of the announcement of the task force being posted on the Reporter website, one reader commented, commending the mayor for addressing a “terrible” problem and asking when something would be done to address abandoned buildings in the city.
According to Albiez, that issue will be addressed as part of the task force as well.
“There will be action made for abandoned buildings as well,” said Albiez. “Part of the task force [responsibility] will be to go to abandoned buildings and make sure they’re kept in order.”
While the city will work to ensure the buildings are presentable, Albiez said there’s not much the city can do to keep buildings occupied.
Although keeping tenants in the building is partially an issue of the economy, Albiez added that the city will continue working to make the community as marketable as possible by keeping it safe and making Union City a desirable place to live.
In the meantime, residents are encouraged to voice their complaints about any housing issues or abandoned houses in their neighborhood by calling (201) 348-5755 or visiting www.ucnj.com and clicking on “Report a Problem to the Mayor.”
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.