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To the Editor, Asbury Park Sun:

The Asbury Park Affordable Housing Coalition wishes the referendum succeeded because it contained strong tenant protections including caps on rent increases, a greater percentage of units being covered, and, provisions preventing our neighbors and friends from being pushed out. As a result of the vote, the Council’s ordinance stands and will go into effect on June 1st. We now have the opportunity to regroup and push for stronger protections for tenants. 

It was an exciting election. We knocked on doors and spoke to people who just want a healthy and safe place to live. People who have been here for years, paying the mortgage and taxes for their landlord, who cannot afford to stay without real rent stabilization. And, through independent research and our conversations, it was affirmed that people of color are disproportionately impacted. We are losing the diversity we cherish in Asbury Park. 

Thank you to all the people who took the time to understand a very complex issue, walked with us, introduced us to neighbors, made calls, joined us, held a sign, and came out to vote. Unfortunately, this time, Goliath won. The election may be over, but we won’t stop advocating for safe and affordable housing in Asbury Park. We will continue to underscore facts and dispel myths. We are thankful to be working with people who want to live in a fair and just community.

Tracy Rogers, Asbury Park Affordable Housing Coalition

Asbury Park

[This letter represents the opinion of its writer and is not representative of any opinion of the Asbury Park Sun staff. All readers are welcome to submit Letters to the Editor to news@asburyparksun.com for our consideration. For guidelines on letter-writing and submission, click here.]

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