rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/petition/hamilton-township-rent-control-now?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-petition-area-hamilton-township-rent-control-now' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> Central NJ DSA https://actionnetwork.org/groups/central-nj-dsa https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/petitions/photos/000/559/880/normal/Rent_Control_Now_Banner.jpg In Hamilton, our neighboring communities, and around the state, rent has skyrocketed in recent years. There are not enough affordable basic apartments for working-class families, and thousands of households live just one paycheck away from eviction. This is unacceptable – housing should be a human right made available to everyone. But corporate landlords are taking over our neighborhoods, raising our rents and evicting us or our neighbors – all to turn a profit. One estimate shows that the median rent in Hamilton Township, NJ is $1,987 per month, 28% higher than the national average listed on that website ($1,557/month). Another estimate shows between a $715 and $825 increase in the past year for one bedroom apartments, up to a median rent of $2,375 per month. That's almost 50% higher than the same website's national average of $1,593 per month! Although these numbers vary across multiple estimates, when taken together, they paint a clear picture - the cost of rent in Hamilton is increasing far too rapidly, sucking up more and more of our paychecks, and threatening to push working-class people out of their homes. Local officials can take action to address this crisis head-on, here in Hamilton and beyond. In nearby Trenton, lawmakers recently updated their existing Rent Control Ordinance to enact a hard cap on rent increases: 4% for all tenants, and 2% for senior citizens or disabled tenants. We need and deserve the same in Hamilton. In fact, Hamilton used to have rent control until it was abolished by a Republican administration in 2002. But the movement to build tenant power is stronger than ever. We demand Hamilton officials stop rent hikes, and strengthen/expand rent controls, by instituting the same hard cap on rent increases as Trenton. This must be accompanied by appropriate protections and a proper rent control board with a majority of renters, to review and adjudicate all complaints, violations and other relevant matters pertaining to the rent control ordinance and local rental laws. Sign this petition to tell the Mayor and Council to support affordable housing in Hamilton by enacting a rent cap! https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/hamilton-township-rent-control-now