Not So NIMBY: Montclair Shares Affordable Housing Survey Results

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Many local residents think that Montclair needs more affordable housing, and most of them would be willing to accept more development in their own neighborhood to make it happen, a recent survey found.

The Economic Development Committee of the Montclair Town Council – working with the planning department – launched a survey earlier this year to gauge residents’ points of view about affordable housing.

View the full set of replies and trends online here.

The survey saw more than 1,800 responses, enough to be a “statistically relevant number,” administrators said. The responses were split relatively evenly throughout town: First Ward (19.11%), Second Ward (19.82%), Third Ward (17.03%), Fourth Ward (20.6%).

The results were released to the public earlier this month. Some questions included:

Montclair has 775 units of affordable housing. How much do you agree with the following statement: “Montclair needs more affordable housing.”

• Strongly agree – 1,135 responses (62.29%)
• Somewhat agree – 252 responses (13.83%)
• Unsure – 151 responses (8.29%)
• Somewhat disagree – 86 responses (4.72%)
• Strongly disagree – 198 responses (10.87%)

Would you support development in your neighborhood to increase the number of affordable housing units in your neighborhood?

• Yes – 1,172 responses (70.86%)
• No – 482 responses (29.14%)

Would you support changes to Montclair’s zoning laws to allow for increased affordable housing development (e.g., more mixed-use housing, higher density, eliminate single family zoning, etc.)?

• Yes – 915 responses (54.89%)
• No – 409 responses (24.54%)
• Unsure – 343 responses (20.58%)

If you think Montclair needs more affordable housing, how much of an annual increase in property taxes would you be willing to pay to increase the number of affordable housing units in Montclair?

• N/A (I am not a homeowner) – 392 responses (24.62%)
• $0 (I would not support a tax increase) – 690 responses (43.34%)
• Up to $500 – 217 responses (13.63%)
• $501 to $1,000 – 165 responses (10.36%)
• $1,001 to $3,000 – 81 responses (5.09%)
• $3,001 to $5,000 – 21 responses (1.32 percent)
• Over $5,000 – 26 responses (1.63 percent)

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