PASSAIC, N.J. — Hundreds of tenants from the largest landlord in Passaic announced the formation of a tenant union on Thursday, calling attention to deteriorating living conditions and extreme rent hikes across the city’s housing stock.
Tenants United Passaic, the newly established union, was launched during a press conference where residents accused the Perez family, one of the largest corporate landlords in the city, of subjecting them to unsafe and unsanitary conditions. Tenants reported high rent increases, inconsistent running water, uncollected garbage, pest infestations, and safety hazards in their buildings, many of which are owned by the Perez family’s various limited liability companies (LLCs).
“Our building didn’t have fire alarms, and there were no locks on our front door,” said Felix, a tenant leader and 20-year Passaic resident. “Mold was growing in my apartment, and when I asked the landlord to fix it, he didn’t listen. We organized, sent a letter to the owner, and the issues were addressed. That’s the power of organizing.”
Another tenant, Joaquin, who has lived in Passaic for 30 years, described how his family’s rent increased by $300 without notice while the conditions in their building worsened. “We deserve to live in a safe environment without fear of being displaced because we can’t afford the rent,” he said.
The Perez family, who owns over 1,000 units in Passaic, has come under fire for what tenants describe as hazardous conditions behind the pastel facades of their buildings. Problems cited include mold, broken windows, lack of lighting in stairwells, and uneven flooring, which has resulted in at least one injury requiring emergency medical attention.
The union’s formation comes amid growing concerns about housing affordability in New Jersey, where rent increases and evictions are rising, particularly in immigrant and working-class communities like Passaic.
The Perez family’s corporations, which control more than 60 LLCs, have not yet responded to the tenants’ claims. The tenants say they are united in demanding better living conditions and an end to extreme rent hikes.
