Housing is a basic human right. Gov. Phil Murphy and leaders in the Legislature should be commended for recently enacting a comprehensive affordable-housing bill package that will make this right to safe, secure and habitable living spaces more attainable for those in the Garden State. It’s a huge win for communities across New Jersey, especially cities like Newark that are on the rise.
Affordable homes are not just bricks and mortar, they are the foundation upon which stable lives, thriving communities and economic prosperity are built. Affordable housing allows seniors to age in place and provides opportunities for those just starting out and homes for growing families. It promotes inclusivity, offering more community-based living options for individuals with disabilities and their families. It advances social equity by ensuring that housing is not a barrier to accessing education, employment, health care and other essential services. And it’s the most effective strategy to ending homelessness because affordable housing provides stable living environments for those at risk.
The new affordable housing process enacted by the state will streamline compliance and reduce litigation-related delays. It will give municipalities and developers more certainty, allowing for smarter planning around where affordable housing should be built. Indeed, this is all good news for expediting construction. However, affordable housing development isn’t solely about erecting structures. It’s also about fostering communities where individuals and families can thrive.
The most important factor in affordable housing development that mayors and local officials cannot overlook is the importance of community input. Affordable housing development cannot be successful without actively involving the communities it serves. Successful affordable housing development requires a commitment from local officials to roll up their sleeves and dive fully into community engagement. It’s not easy, but it’s what we are doing in Newark. And now with these new laws on the books, it’s my plan to double down.
When it comes to housing, residents are intimately familiar with the intricacies of their neighborhoods — they know the hidden corners, the untapped potential and the pressing issues that demand attention. Their lived experiences provide invaluable insights that cannot be gleaned from data alone. Whether it’s advocating for green spaces, prioritizing accessibility or preserving cultural heritage, local input ensures that developments are not just structures but vibrant hubs that reflect the soul of the community.
Benefits from community input
As the city council president and the Central Ward councilmember, I require developers to hold meetings in the communities where developments are proposed, prior to the projects being reviewed by the planning and/or zoning boards. This allows residents to give input from the outset and, at times, results in changes to the proposals based on the community feedback.
These are the moments when the residents can talk with the developer about things they need and want in their neighborhood — like parks, more trees, playgrounds and other amenities needed to accommodate the new development. It’s key that these conversations happen at the community level and not at the city council level.
In some instances, community members have rejected entire plans because they don’t think the development complements their neighborhood’s character. I don’t see this as blocking progress, but rather residents having a voice in the communities they live in. This leads to more sustainable and successful development, and it maintains consistency in the community’s character.
In addition, when developers request tax abatements, I mobilize resident groups like tenant and block associations and nonprofits in the area to request community benefits as part of the tax incentive. While local officials cannot personally negotiate what is in a tax incentive deal, resident groups can and should be involved. And as local officials, it’s our responsibility to let residents know about opportunities to provide input and how to do so.
In my experience, one of the most significant dividends of community input is trust. When residents know that their voices are heard and respected, they become stakeholders and ensure the success of affordable housing initiatives. Conversely, neglecting community input can breed mistrust and skepticism, undermining the very projects whose goal is to uplift communities. Whether it’s mitigating displacement risks or fostering economic opportunities, by engaging residents early in the planning process, developers and local officials can identify and address concerns before they escalate.
With affordable housing, we can turn the vision of vibrant, inclusive communities into a reality — one where every voice is heard, valued and empowered and one that shapes the neighborhoods in which they live.