The Passaic City Council voted Jan. 21 to introduce an ordinance amending chapter 231 (rent stabilization) and scheduled a second reading and public hearing for Feb. 4.

The measure was placed on the agenda by the council at the administration's request and approved on a unanimous roll call. Council President Schaer said the ordinance was placed on the agenda “as per our agreement with the administration at our last 2 meetings.” The motion to accept the ordinance for second reading carried with all members voting yes.

Supporters and residents at the meeting said rising rents are an urgent local problem. Evelyn T. Robinson, former commissioner of the Board of Education, told the council rents are “horrible” and described people doubling up because they cannot afford units. Robinson also praised the council’s earlier public discussion of a rent cap and asked the city to encourage landlords to reduce rents where possible.

Mayor (name not specified in the transcript) told the council the administration has prioritized tenant protections in recent months and noted the city has been working on programs such as expanded transportation and services to ease cost burdens. The mayor said the ordinance’s placement followed work between council and administration and thanked council members for advancing it to a public hearing.

Why it matters: the ordinance would add a local regulatory framework for rents in Passaic; scheduling a formal hearing begins the public comment and amendment process. The council took no final vote on rent limits or specific rates on Jan. 21—the council approved introduction and set the Feb. 4 hearing.

Next steps: the council will hold a second reading and public hearing on the proposed amendment to chapter 231 at its Feb. 4 meeting. Members of the public who spoke urged further tenant protections and asked the city to consider enforcement steps that ensure landlords meet habitability standards in addition to any rent limits.