Bill Text: NJ S1216 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Directs Attorney General to investigate Special One-Time Assistance Program offered by City of New York.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-03 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee [S1216 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2020-S1216-Introduced.html

---

SENATE, No. 1216

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

219th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 3, 2020

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  JOSEPH P. CRYAN

District 20 (Union)

Senator  NICHOLAS P. SCUTARI

District 22 (Middlesex, Somerset and Union)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Directs Attorney General to investigate Special One-Time Assistance Program offered by City of New York.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  

An Act concerning investigation of the City of New York's Special One-Time Assistance Program.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    a.  The Attorney General shall investigate the Special One-Time Assistance Program offered by the City of New York to ensure participants are provided with housing accommodations suitable for habitation.

     b.    As part of the investigation, the Attorney General shall gather, compile, and analyze information concerning the Special One-Time Assistance Program, the circumstances under which tenants entered into lease agreements with landlords, the conditions of housing units, and any other information that the Attorney General finds necessary to fulfill the requirements of this act.

     c.     Within nine months after enactment of P.L.    , c.    (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the Attorney General shall issue and make available to the public a report detailing the findings of its investigation.  The Attorney General shall present the report to the Governor and the Legislature pursuant to P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1).

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire upon issuance of the report required by this act.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill requires the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey to investigate the Special One-Time Assistance Program Offered by the City of New York.  Furthermore, this bill requires that the Attorney General release a report detailing the findings of the investigation to the public and present the report to the Governor and the Legislature. 

     The Special One-Time Assistance Program (SOTA) offered by the City of New York provides eligible homeless individuals and families one year of rent.  The program places participants in housing within New York City or the surrounding area.  New Jersey is home to many SOTA participants with more than 2,200 families relocating to the State. 

     Despite its attempt to help individuals break the cycle of homelessness, the program has a number of issues that affect the well-being of our communities.  A recent investigation by the City of New York has revealed that participants were placed in units without valid occupancy certificates, without heating, and with insect and rodent infestations.  There are also allegations that participants here in New Jersey have been pressured into quickly accepting a unit with limited opportunity to inspect the premises.

     In an effort to ensure that SOTA participants have access to safe and adequate housing, it is necessary to investigate how this program has been administered here in New Jersey and take appropriate action to hold those responsible for mistreating tenants.