HOBOKEN -- The Stevens Institute of Technology is reportedly telling tenants of housing on Hudson Street owned by Stevens that they will have to leave in 18 months to make room for student housing. The student housing will be built by August of 2014, according to a story on NJ.com.

Many of the tenants work for Stevens, but a few do not. According to the story, Stevens has been meeting with the tenants to help them relocate. The university will offer $10,000 in relocation expenses to non-employees.

The city of Hoboken has weighed in on the controversy, expressing its concern. It issued a letter (click to see it at left) saying the city will set up a meeting with the tenants and a local tenant advocate in September, so that tenants know their rights.

The city also notes that while issues between the landlord (Stevens) and the tenants may be beyond their juridiction, they want to make sure tenants know their options.

The letter also says that the mayor will ask the City Council to approve funding to hire a tenant advocate -- a position that existed at City Hall for many years.

Watch hudsonreporter.com for updates on this story and more.