Alan Hammer is not only a commercial real estate attorney with nearly 50 years of experience, but a self-described “hands-on” apartment operator in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Simply put, he’s all too familiar with the dilemma that landlords in the region will face on the first of the month and beyond, with moratoriums on evictions during the coronavirus crisis.
Market Sectors
New Jersey has an unmatched location and a population that developers dream about. It’s no wonder the commercial real estate industry is flourishing and evolving across all segments of the market.
The domino effect: Without rental assistance, who’s left holding the bag?
When COVID-19 hit the United States, most Americans never imagined the impact it would have on daily life. As the virus spread, states like New Jersey started to implement policies to promote social distancing and to help those impacted by the economic fallout of the crisis, including policies such as an eviction moratorium. While such a policy addresses one specific immediate-term problem, it does not address the systemic need for rent revenue that supports an entire multifamily ecosystem, which is a critical component of New Jersey’s economy and significantly supports the State and municipalities through taxes. Without rental assistance and an understanding that rent is still due, multifamily jobs will be lost, private-sector financial obligations may not be met, utilities will not be paid and municipalities might see shortfalls due to the inability to pay property taxes. That is why we need a rental assistance program immediately.