The City of East Orange is cracking down on illegal basement apartments, while also helping landlords bring their properties up to code.

The program, called S.O.S., or “Save Ourselves,” is the latest push from City Hall to address unsafe, unregistered units that often go unnoticed until an emergency happens.

“If we don’t know people are in the basement and a fire breaks out, people can get hurt and harmed and die,” East Orange Mayor Ted Green said.

A city code enforcement official said violations in illegal units often include lack of egress, broken plumbing, and exposed electrical wiring.

Under the S.O.S. initiative, the city said tenants who are removed from illegal units will be placed in affordable housing.

“It’s not in our best interest to put people out," Green said.

However, the program is also designed to help landlords come into compliance, rather than just face punishment.

“There are penalties, but we also want to give the landlord opportunity to make things right,” the mayor said.

City officials said they will provide landlords with a legal framework to make the necessary safety upgrades. Once the units meet code requirements, tenants may be allowed to move back in.