Solomon Releases Housing Plan That Triples Affordable Housing

JERSEY CITY, NJ — In his campaign to defend his seat as Ward E councilman, James Solomon released his plan for affordable housing.

Solomon's campaign slogan is "Still not for sale" and has made affordable housing a priority in his campaign. Since taking office, Solomon has taken on developers who for too long were allowed sweetheart deals that led to runaway housing costs and displacement. Prior to Solomon being elected, developers received 39 special tax deals throughout the city. Since then, they’ve gotten none.

"Jersey City must remain affordable for families - period. That means building and protecting affordable housing, while at the same time passing tenant protections that actually help people stay in their homes," Solomon said, "If Downtown is truly going to remain open for everyone, then our city government must do much more to ensure development benefits every single resident. We need more affordable housing, more housing supply, and better protection for tenants."

Downtown has roughly 30,000 total units of housing, but only less than 2,000 of those homes - 6 percent- are affordable. Another 3 percent are subject to rent control. Under development plans put in place by prior administrations, less than 250 of the units yet to be built will be affordable. In the last ten years, average rent has steadily increased and is now an eye-watering $2,800 for a small studio apartment, and even more for a multi-bedroom unit.

Solomon's plan includes:

• Passing stronger tenant protections. In 2019, Solomon produced a report detailing illegal and unethical practices by landlords, who frequently forced tenants out of their homes.

• Triple the number of affordable homes built in downtown Jersey City. By leveraging city-owned land, Solomon plans to build significantly more homes working people can afford Downtown. In partnership with key neighborhood stakeholders, Solomon will develop a plan to build more affordable housing without a single tax break to developers, according to his plan.

• Pass a smart, strong new law mandating affordable homes in all new developments. In 2020, Solomon voted against Jersey City’s Inclusionary Zoning Law, which was called “deeply flawed,” by NJ's top affordable housing advocates. This year, a judge threw that ordinance out as illegal. He is committed to passing a new ordinance with strict rules, and no loopholes, to maximize the amount of affordable housing constructed.

• Fund a “Housing First” plan to ensure all residents without a home can find permanent supportive housing. Building off the construction of permanent supportive housing at the new St. Lucy’s Homeless shelter, Solomon believes the city should develop a Housing First program for Jersey City. Housing First is a nationally recognized approach that focuses on moving individuals and families experiencing homelessness into safe, permanent housing as soon as possible, and then providing supportive services to help them remain in their homes. Study after study has shown that this approach is the most effective and humane solution to homelessness.

Read the full plan here.