The Jackson Township Council, in coordination with Mayor Jennifer Kuhn, recently hosted a public rental housing roundtable at Town Hall to engage residents in an open dialogue regarding rental housing concerns. Jackson currently has approximately 1975 homes that are being rented out and the roundtable’s goal was to discuss what laws governing these rentals exist currently on the books and to engage with residents to hear new ideas on how to better regulate this.
The roundtable brought together elected officials, Township professionals, and members of the public, including Business Administrator Terefenko, Code Enforcement Supervisor Cheney, Ms. Neri from Code enforcement, Township Attorney McGuckin, and Council members. Residents were able to participate both in person and remotely, providing comments, asking questions, and gaining insight into how existing housing and property maintenance ordinances are enforced.
Discussions focused on accountability, enforcement challenges, and the importance of community input in shaping fair, effective, and legally sound policies that protect neighborhoods and residents.
Mayor Jennifer Kuhn thanked the Council for organizing the event and emphasized the value of community dialogue and collaboration.
“I want to thank the Council for the invitation to attend the rental housing roundtable, as well as for including our Business Administrator, Mr. Terefenko, in this important discussion,” said Mayor Kuhn. “I am a strong proponent of community dialogue and the sharing of best practices and ideas. Having more residents involved and bringing fresh perspectives to the table is exactly what we need, and I would like to see — and participate in — more conversations like this. I also want to thank the professionals and Council members who were in attendance. This was a great start, and I am prepared to hit the ground running, working closely with our legal team to address concerns in a safe and lawful manner so Jackson continues to be a great place to live and raise a family.”
Council President Mordy Burnstein echoed the importance of resident participation and professional collaboration.
“I want to sincerely thank all of the residents who took the time to attend the rental housing roundtable, as well as those who participated by watching from home,” said Council President Burnstein. “I also want to thank the many professionals who were present and contributed their expertise to this important discussion. These conversations are essential as we continue working with residents to strengthen quality-of-life ordinances and ensure they are effective, fair, and enforceable. Jackson Township will continue to be a community where families can raise their children, residents can feel proud of where they live, and quality of life remains a top priority. As Council President, a top priority for 2026 is passing legally sound legislation to support better rental oversight.
Council Vice President Giuseppe Palmeri highlighted the role of transparency and resident engagement in guiding Township policy.
“This roundtable reflects the Township’s commitment to transparency and open communication with residents,” said Palmeri. “Hearing directly from the community helps guide thoughtful, enforceable policies that protect neighborhoods and preserve the quality of life that makes Jackson Township a desirable place to live.”
The Jackson Township Council and Mayor Kuhn will continue to engage residents as the Township evaluates rental housing policies and enforcement strategies, with additional discussions and initiatives expected in the months ahead.
If you missed the roundtable meeting, you may watch it on our Youtube channel by following this link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11ahbA4pTC8