Jackson Township officials say they will aggressively defend a newly adopted ordinance aimed at protecting residents of manufactured housing communities from what township leaders describe as excessive and unsustainable rent increases, after several mobile home park owners filed suit seeking to overturn the measure.
The lawsuit challenges Ordinance 2026-06, adopted by the Township Council on March 24, which strengthens rent control protections for residents living in manufactured housing communities, many of whom are senior citizens or individuals on fixed incomes.
Under the ordinance, annual rent increases in manufactured housing communities are capped at 2.5%, which township officials said is one percentage point below the maximum increase allowed under New Jersey law. The ordinance also requires landlords to obtain approval for rent increases through the township’s rent control process, with unauthorized increases considered void and subject to penalties.
Additional provisions require park owners to disclose rent components — including base rent, tax surcharges and fees — to new tenants and to file rent increase applications with the township’s Rent Leveling Board. The ordinance also allows residents to petition for rent decreases and authorizes penalties that could include the temporary loss of vacancy decontrol privileges for certain violations.
Mayor Jennifer Kuhn said the ordinance was adopted in response to mounting concerns over housing affordability in the township’s manufactured housing communities.
“For many seniors and working families, these communities represent one of the last affordable housing options available,” Kuhn said in a statement. “The Township will not stand by while residents are subjected to excessive rent increases that threaten their financial stability and ability to remain in their homes.”
The lawsuit was filed by several manufactured housing community owners, including Southwind Village, Oak Tree, Fountainhead Properties Inc., Land O’ Pines Mobile Home Park, Shady Lake Park II, Silver Pine Park Land LLC and Jackson Acres LLC. The plaintiffs are seeking to invalidate the ordinance, block its enforcement and recover monetary damages, according to township officials.
Township leaders contend the litigation is an attempt to eliminate local oversight and preserve the ability of park owners to impose substantial rent increases on residents who may have limited housing alternatives.
“The Township Council enacted this ordinance because protecting residents from unreasonable housing costs is a core responsibility of local government,” Kuhn said. “We remain committed to defending these protections and standing with the residents of Jackson Township.”
Township officials said Jackson will continue defending the ordinance and pursuing policies aimed at promoting affordability, transparency and housing stability for residents.