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Residents urge Red Bank council to address homelessness and vacant apartments; council outlines limits
Summary
Multiple residents during public comment urged Red Bank officials to address homelessness and the number of vacant apartments and questioned tax breaks for developers; councilors said the borough welcomes shelters but cannot compel private owners to rent units.
Residents used the Oct. 9 public-comment period to press the Red Bank Borough Council on homelessness, vacant apartments and tax incentives for developers.
Jimmy Darkfoot (speaker 11) described seeing people sleeping on the street and urged the council to use its authority to make vacant apartments available for people in need. “There’s a lot of empty apartments around here,” he said, and asked why property owners who receive tax breaks are not required to house people experiencing homelessness.
Councilors responded that Red Bank welcomes shelters and warming centers and that the borough tries to provide services, but they emphasized limits on municipal authority over private property. A council member said the town cannot force private landlords to rent units or direct how owners use their property, but pledged to continue support for shelters, warming centers and outreach.
The exchange highlighted recurring resident concerns about local housing affordability and municipal tools to address homelessness. Councilors noted some local programs and events (a recent vaccine clinic, community wellness initiatives and a planned turkey giveaway) and said staff would continue outreach and coordination with regional partners.
No formal policy changes or mandates on private property were voted at the meeting; the remarks were recorded as public comment and council reply.
