Rent hike thrown out, at least until August O.B. helps senior community avoid 2nd increase in 7 months BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer Residents of Maher Manor in Old Bridge can rest at ease now that a proposed 5 percent rent increase has been quashed. After the tenants' association at the state-subsidized senior housing development on Route 18 brought their concerns to township officials, Mayor Jim Phillips was able to help resolve the matter. "I was determined to find a way to prevent it," Phillips said. The 5 percent increase would have come only seven months after a 3 percent increase was imposed back in August. Phillips addressed the issue with Susan Bass Levin, commissioner of the state Department of Community Affairs (DCA), who looked into the matter. Bass Levin determined that Pennrose Properties, the developer of the building, would not be eligible to apply for another increase until this coming August. "I'm happy for the people of Maher Manor, and I feel the commissioner did us a good favor," Phillips said. "I thank the commissioner for everything she did, and I think it's fair that the people should only get a rent increase once a year, and not every six months." Councilman Richard Greene, who represents Ward 5 where Maher Manor is located, said he hopes any increase that may arise in August will be more reasonable than the 5 percent that was proposed. Along with Greene, Councilman Reggie Butler, who chairs the township's housing authority, was working to resolve the issue for the residents. "Everybody was ecstatic," said George Kahwaty, president of the tenants' association. "But now the question comes up, 'What's going to happen in August?' I've got to assume they are going to reapply in August." Kahwaty said he thinks the best way to handle it is to simply wait and see. The Township Council passed a resolution at its March 19 meeting requesting that the state Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) decrease the requested rent increase. Copies were sent to the HMFA, the DCA and the three state legislators who represent Old Bridge. "[It's] good news," Greene said. "Hopefully, when the time comes for another increase, it will be a more open process." The proposed rent increase was only one of a handful of problems encountered by residents of Maher Manor. Since the building's opening in 2005, Kahwaty said, there have been issues with safety, sanitation and access for disabled residents. While some of the problems have been resolved, Pennrose has left some things to be desired for the building's occupants, he said. Prosper De George, who started the tenants' group, agreed, saying there have been a number of promises made to residents that have gone unfulfilled. The tenants' association met with Phillips in January in an effort to see some of the issues resolved, and its members are waiting it out. Kahwaty said residents are very grateful to the mayor for his swift action in addressing the situation and helping to spare them the increase.