A More Affordable City
Jersey City needs more affordable housing, with nearly 3,700 low- and moderate-income units currently missing. Bill O’Dea’s plan will require that any new housing projects getting city incentives must include at least 20% affordable units to match state funding programs. The city will also make better use of the Aspire program, which provides funding for affordable housing, and work with the Hudson County Improvement Authority (HCIA) to help finance these projects.
“If developers want tax breaks, they need to give something back to our community — and that means at least 20% affordable housing, no exceptions. Jersey City’s middle class is being hollowed out because there are not enough affordable and workforce housing opportunities to support teachers, nurses and other public servants, plus people early in their careers. We need to use the tools at our disposal to start addressing that need immediately and deliver the middle class housing that Jersey City requires in order to be a place where everyone can thrive.” - Bill O'Dea
Bill’s plan for more affordable housing in Jersey City includes:
A Better and More Fair Way to Develop
1. No tax breaks– offered in the form of PILOT agreements– will be given unless a project meets the 20% affordable housing requirement. The city will also fill funding gaps for projects set to begin construction in 2026 and 2027, ensuring they stay on track. 2. In addition to large developments, the plan will support smaller affordable housing projects, especially those with 40 or fewer units, using state and local Affordable Housing Trust Funds (AHTF). 3. A new mentoring program will help small nonprofit housing developers by pairing them with experienced professionals, using the NJ Economic Development Authority’s Emerging Developers Program as a guide. 4. O’Dea will reestablish the Office of Receivership to rehabilitate neglected rental properties, with a dedicated task force enforcing repairs, code compliance, and financial transparency. 5. To ensure long-term housing stability, the plan includes qualified receivers, a loan fund for repairs, financial commitments from owners, and ongoing monitoring to preserve affordable housing.
Developing Homes that Everyone Can Afford
1. The city will also prioritize using Section 8 housing vouchers—over 700 of which are available—for projects that meet the affordability standards. 2. Workforce housing for middle-income families (earning 80%-100% of the area’s average income) will also be expanded through the Live and Serve JC Program. 3. This program will provide homeownership opportunities for public workers like teachers, nurses, and first responders, with the added requirement that they give back to the community through volunteer work. 4. To preserve and improve existing affordable housing, the city will work with nonprofits that already own housing, helping them upgrade buildings and create additional units when possible.
Affordable Housing For Every Kind of Resident
1. Stronger tenant protections and rent control enforcement will also be a priority. The city will fully enforce rent control laws by improving how rents are tracked and reported, hiring more staff, and making sure landlords follow the rules. A public online database will let tenants check rent prices, just like they can look up property taxes. 2. To keep older rent-controlled buildings affordable, a new fund will help pay for repairs, such as elevator replacements and energy efficiency upgrades. 3. The city will also make sure landlords fix broken elevators on time—if they don’t, the city will do the repairs and bill the owners. 4. More affordable housing for artists will be created near cultural spaces like Mana Contemporary. 5. Faith-based organizations will get help developing affordable housing on their properties, including changes to zoning laws and financial support through state and federal programs.
Learn more about Bill's plans for JC
Issue 1
Issue 2
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