Newark Vs. Gentrification: We Can't Become Brooklyn, Mayor Says

NEWARK, NJ — Hey Brooklyn, you might not want to take this as an insult. But Newark Mayor Ras Baraka doesn’t want his city to turn into… well… you.

On Thursday, Newark officials – including Baraka – held a press conference to announce that the city is digging in its heels against the effects of housing “gentrification” on its low-income residents.

“Newark must not become another Brooklyn,” Mayor Baraka said. “We are committed to achieving equitable growth so that the benefits of new development and investment are shared by ALL Newarkers and residents of limited economic means are not displaced by gentrification.”

Here's the problem, according to city officials:

“Newark is benefiting from economic and real estate development that will transform city neighborhoods and bring greater resources to all Newark residents. However, the city faces a crisis of affordability in housing that began long before the development surge. Research has shown that growing cities with affordability issues tend to displace the most vulnerable residents through gentrification.”

To help keep low-income Newarkers in the homes they’ve raised their families in, the city is creating a special commission that will provide a voice for local residents on planning and land use laws and policies, housing law and policy, public financing for housing, real estate and infrastructure development, related public health matters, business development and procurement.

The 15-member Equitable Growth Advisory Commission will consist of experts drawn from the city’s community, academic, business and nonprofit sectors, municipal officials said.

In addition to the new commission, Newark has been taking other steps to combat gentrification, Baraka’s office said. These include the city's:

• Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance
• Homestead Ordinance
• Amended Long-Term Tax Abatement Ordinance
• Neighborhood development program
• Strengthened rent controls
• Creation of the Office of Affordable Housing
• Right to Counsel legislation to prevent evictions
• Foreclosure prevention programs
• Workshops and guidance to help renters become owners
• Selling homes at low cost to residents
• Preparing small Newark minority and women contractors to become developers
• Stronger code enforcement in deteriorating affordable housing

Officials and stakeholders present at Thursday’s press conference included Office of Affordable Housing Manager Al-Tariq Shabazz, President & CEO of the Newark Alliance Aisha Glover, New Community Corporation Special Projects Director Richard Cammarieri, and Rutgers Center on Law, Inequality and Metropolitan Equity (CliME) Director David Troutt.

“My hope is we will build an institution for the City of Newark to follow, and other cities, that works as an effective steward for people who are typically the last to be thought of when redevelopment projects are redeveloped,” Troutt said.

“I’m quite hopeful,” the professor added.

• See related article: Newark Council Passes Affordable Housing Law

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Photo: City of Newark Press Office (Urban League's Revitalizing of Fairmount Collaborative, May 10, 2018