Long Branch Citizens Against Housing Discrimination v City of Long Branch
Citizens Fight Back Against City’s Unconstitutional Effort to Limit Rentals in Long Branch
A class action has been filed on behalf of renters and rental property owners in the City of Long Branch, New Jersey. The case alleges that the City has enacted unreasonable and unconstitutional ordinances to reduce the number of rental property units within city limits. The plaintiffs seek to enjoin the city from enforcing these ordinances.
The complaint was filed by Long Branch Citizens Against Housing Discrimination, an association of tenants and rental property owners. They allege that the City, in an effort to discourage property rentals and increase the number of owner-occupied units within city limits, enacted an ordinance prohibiting the rental of a single residential unit to multiple individuals not related by blood or marriage. Plaintiffs allege this ordinance violates numerous federal and state fair housing laws and unfairly discriminates against certain groups, particularly the large number of college students who rent within the city.
The complaint further alleges that another city ordinance which limits the issuance of rental property certificates of occupancy in certain zones of the city to one per year, discriminates against both tenants and prospective rental property owners. Plaintiffs seek to have the ordinances declared unconstitutional and invalid. In addition, they seek compensatory and punitive damages.
