What is happening in Lakewood is unconcionable and unconstitutional. It is high time the issues of Lakewood are viewed on a bigger stage.....Watchdog: Little effort to crack down on bad housing in Lakewood | The Asbury Park Press NJ | app.com

Albert Akerman
Mayor

Political party: Republican

First Elected: 1/1/2011

Mayor Year: 2013

Liason Appointments:

Board of Health

Community Center Advisory Board

Environmental Commission

Inspection Department

Lakewood Development Corporation

Parks & Recreation/Special Events

Public Relations

Transporation

In 2006, attorney Samuel Z. Brown started the Community Legal Coalition, which held seminars on landlord-tenant laws and other related matters. The coalition is no longer formally active, Brown said.

He disagrees that there is a significant housing problem in Lakewood today, and said the landlord-tenant schism is no worse than anywhere else. He and others also pointed out that in many instances tenants are just as much to blame for illegal conditions as the landlords.

“If I had my druthers, I certainly would try to do everything I can as a township or as a public service to educate people — tenants and landlords — about their rights and obligations,” Brown said.

I Don't Come From the Ghetto - Lakewood Advocate: Lakewood Hispanic Advocate Eugene Espinosa tours Lakewood housing conditions and the landlord situations stating, 'Hello, I come from Lakewood. I don't come from the ghetto.' Staff Video by Tom Spader

In 2008, one property was issued a violation each for overcrowding and certificate of occupancy; in 2009, eight properties were cited for overcrowding and 28 for certificate of occupancy; in 2010 there were seven properties cited for overcrowding and 26 for certificate of occupancy; and in 2011, 10 properties were cited for overcrowding and 31 for certificate of occupancy. Last year the town issued just three properties overcrowding violations and cited 21 properties for certificate of occupancy violations, according to records and data provided by the inspection department. In some instances, the same violation was written multiple times in one year at a property.

Last year’s low enforcement data came as a surprise to Mayor Albert Akerman because, he said, “I was under the impression that this was something that they were clamping down on.”

Watchdog: Little effort to crack down on bad housing in Lakewood | The Asbury Park Press NJ | app.com: "For $750 a month, Ana Segundo and Felipe Cantu enjoy privacy away from the tall, overflowing homes that make up the neighborhood off Route 88.

Located in the rear of 414 E. Fifth St., the place they call home is a squat, vinyl-sided garage that has been converted into a cheek-by-jowl efficiency. An extension cord snakes out a window and up an uneven set of stairs that end at the rotted wooden threshold of a tiny, recessed door fashioned from the siding."

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