Rent Control Is Now in Effect for Every Senior in This N.J. City

East Orange, N.J., has approved a statute banning landlords from hiking the rent of all seniors, ages 65 or older, or persons with disabilities by more than 2 percent annually, according to NJ.com . The city says this law is the first in the state to apply to all seniors, irrespective of income, as well as to persons deemed "100 percent disabled" by the U.S. government. "Seniors have a fixed income and it's not fair for their rent to increase when their income isn't increasing," says East Orange Mayor Ted R. Green. "We don't want to push our seniors out of their community." The ordinance, which has been in effect since June 13, has only been applicable to lease renewals so far. "People elect us to represent them," Green says. "We have to be the voices for them and we are very proud to bring some relief to our seniors and the disabled. We want to do the best we can to keep them here and let them know we're fighting for them."