Mary Bell, Lambertville
The world has become a twisted mess and no more so than in New Jersey.
Witness this one: The state of New Jersey is seeking to purchase the vast inventory of foreclosed houses in the state and turn these units into low-income public housing.
A bill, which is making its way through the state Legislature, called the New Jersey Residential Foreclosure Transformation Act, would allow middle-class neighborhoods to become targets for scatter site-low income housing transforming foreclosed properties into public housing units.
Using foreclosed properties as public housing is a social experiment that is certain to fail. Homeowners will see more property value decline in addition to higher taxes.
The state would unquestionably manage these rentals poorly, and there would be little, if any, tenant screening. Tenant selection would most likely be on a first-come, first-served basis. Moreover, these units are intended to be occupied by people with “special needs” i.e., ex-cons, sex offenders, homeless people and juvenile delinquents!
To add insult to injury, the bill is authorizing the state to borrow more than a billion dollars to subsidize this scheme. That’s one billion dollars added to the almost $40 billion debt the state is unable to shovel its way out of.
Taxpayers should be livid and vigorously oppose this legislation. And if you are a homeowner with foreclosed properties in your neighborhood, watch out. This bill would deliver another blow to the value of your most cherished possession your home!
Mary Bell
Lambertville

