Title
Dept/ Agency: Offices of Municipal Council/City Clerk
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Supporting
Purpose: Resolution supporting the Robust Federal Investments for Affordable Housing in New Jersey.
Sponsor(s): Council Vice-President, LaMonica R. McIver
Additional Information:
This Resolution of Supoort will be provided to New Jersey’s Congressional Representatives, the Honorable Donald M. Payne and the Honorable Albio Sires and New Jersey’s United States Senate Representatives, the Honorable Robert Menendez and the Honorable Cory A. Booker.
body
WHEREAS, housing insecurity is one of the biggest threats to public health and safety at any time, but never more so than during the coronavirus pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the pandemic has caused untold hardship for residents and communities with the threat of foreclosures, evictions and homelessness for many families; and
WHEREAS, Black and Brown residents in our state, especially women, have been disproportionately impacted and have struggled tremendously under the weight of the pandemic; and
WHEREAS, in New Jersey, to afford a modest, two-bedroom apartment, renters need an income of $31.96 per hour, which is far and above the incomes of many working families, seniors and people with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative that Congress act quickly to bridge the gap between incomes and housing costs by seriously expanding rental assistance and robust investments in new affordable homes, to avert a housing crisis of untold proportions; and
WHEREAS, expansion of rental assistance in the economic recovery package will help bridge the gap between wages and housing costs for America’s lowest incomes and marginalized households and provide much needed relief and hope; and
WHEREAS, by expanding and preserving the nation’s public housing buildings and a robust investment in new affordable housing units, through the national Housing Trust Fund, the nation’s severe shortage of affordable housing will be dramatically impacted and avert a housing crisis not seen since the 1930’s depression; and
WHEREAS, Congress must include an expansion of rental assistance in any budget reconciliation bill, including at least $65 Billion to repair our vital public buildings supply and the projected $15 Billion needed to build and preserve 150,000 homes affordable to families with the greatest needs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. That Congress include robust funding to address housing instability and unaffordability to mitigate the threat of pandemic-related homelessness in any budget reconciliation bill.
2. That Congress provide $25 Billion in rental assistance to serve 300,000 additional households and $65 Billion to repair public housing, which is home to 2.5 million low- income households.
3. Copies of this Resolution is forwarded to New Jersey’s Congressional Representatives, the Honorable Donald M. Payne and the Honorable Albio Sires and New Jersey’s United States Senate Representatives, the Honorable Robert Menendez and the Honorable Cory A. Booker.
STATEMENT
Resolution in support of the Robust Federal Investments for Affordable Housing in New Jersey and throughout the United States.