City of Rahway, NJ Chapter 47 Housing Authority

[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Rahway 7-9-1984 by Ord. No. A-12-84 as Ch. 28 of the 1984 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 47-1 Declaration statement.

The Council hereby determines that:

A. There exists in the city insanitary and unsafe dwelling accommodations, and persons of low income are forced to reside in such insanitary and unsafe dwelling accommodations, and there exists in the city a shortage of safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations available at rents which persons of low income can afford, and such persons are forced to occupy overcrowded and congested dwellings. The aforesaid conditions cause an increase in and spread of disease and crime and constitute a menace to health, safety, morals and welfare of the residents of the city and impair economic value. These conditions necessitate excessive and disproportionate expenditures of public funds for crime prevention and punishment, public health and safety, fire and accident protection and other services and facilities.

B. Areas in the city cannot be cleared nor can the shortage of safe and sanitary dwellings for persons of low income be relieved through the operation of private enterprise. The construction of housing projects for persons of low income, as defined in the Local Housing Authorities Law,[1] would, therefore, not be competitive with private enterprise.

[1] Editor's Note: The Local Housing Authorities Law, N.J.S.A. 55:14A-1 et seq., was repealed by L. 1992, c. 79. See now the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 et seq.

C. The clearance, replanning and reconstruction of the areas in which insanitary or unsafe housing conditions exist and the providing of safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations by any public body for persons of low income are public uses and purposes for which public money may be spent and private property acquired and are governmental functions. It is in the public interest that work on projects for such purposes be commenced as soon as practicable.

§ 47-2 Establishment of local Housing Authority; powers and duties; appointment of members.

[Amended 4-11-2022 by Ord. No. O-13-22]

A. Pursuant to the provisions of the Local Housing Authorities Law, N.J.S.A. 55:14A-1 et seq., as amended and supplemented,[1] a body corporate and politic, to be known as the "Housing Authority of the City of Rahway," is hereby created and established. The Housing Authority shall have the functions, powers and duties prescribed by said Local Housing Authorities Law, as amended and supplemented, or any other applicable state law.

[1] Editor's Note: The Local Housing Authorities Law, N.J.S.A. 55:14A-1 et seq., was repealed by L. 1992, c. 79. See now the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 et seq.

B. The Mayor may appoint one member to the local Housing Authority for an initial five-year term.

C. The City Council may appoint five members for the following initial terms:

(1) One member for a one-year term;

(2) One member for a two-year term;

(3) One member for a three-year term;

(4) One member for a four-year term; and

(5) One member for a five-year term.