“JERSEY CITY IS IN THE MIDST OF A HOUSINGCRISIS. TO SOLVE THIS, WE MUST CREATE MOREMARKET RATE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES WHILEALSO ENSURING THAT WE AFFORD ADEQUATEPROTECTIONS FOR OUR LOW INCOMERESIDENTS AND TENANTS. UNDER MY HOUSINGPLAN, JERSEY CITY WILL BE A CITY WHERERESIDENTS, LONG-TIME AND NEW, CANPROSPER AND RAISE FAMILIES COMFORTABLY. ”

 

 Patrick's Plan:

• Mandate that zoning & planning meetings are live streamed.

  • The Planning & Zoning Boards are essential to our development as a city. As
    a resident, Patrick knows it can be difficult to get to these meetings,
    participate, or simply keep informed. That’s why as Ward D Councilman,
    Patrick will put forth legislation that mandated that those meetings are live
    streamed and easily accessible for residents.​

• Prohibit planning and zoning commissioners from being on any municipal elected officials payroll

  • Patrick believes that good government starts with fair, unbiased, and ethical decisions being made on behalf of residents. This measure will ensure that commissioners are members of our community acting in good faith for us.​

• Fully fund our office of Right to Counsel

  • ​As a resident, Patrick has helped tenants get informed and assist with
    matters of neglect, harassment, and wrongful eviction. As Ward D Councilman, he will make it a priority to ensure funding is allocated to the newly created Office of Right to Counsel. We want to ensure this office can help our residents, not simply make another long line to wait on.

•  Prohibit the use of "junk" fees on rental units.

  • The cost of rent is high - we shouldn’t allow it to be made higher with unnecessary fees. As Ward D Councilman, Patrick will ensure that barriers to
    quality-built housing are taken down. Fees such as move-in fees, application
    fees, & processing fees will be prohibited.​

• Amend the affordable housing overlay

  • The current AHO (Affordable Housing Overlay), while a good start, needs to
    be amended so that it can create more affordable housing in Ward D. The current overlay leaves out much of our neighborhoods. As Councilman, Patrick wants to ensure we are creating diverse, mixed-income communities and keep long term residents in their homes.​

• Ensure Affordable Housing Trust Fund dollars are allocated within Ward D.

  • Ward D has been left out of the conversation of affordable housing. As
    Councilman, Patrick will fight to ensure that AHTF monies are being allocated to our community to create low-to-moderate income units and senior housing projects.​

• Re-evaluate our R-1 zoning regulations

  • Jersey City, like many cities across the country, is currently facing a housing
    shortage and an affordability crisis. As Ward D Councilman, Patrick believes in the creation of new market rate homeownership & rental opportunities. We want to encourage density within R-1 zones by allowing for multi-family homes to be constructed in formerly single family zones as of right. In partnership with the community, we will ensure we are building the housing needed in Jersey City.​

• Establishing "Pre-Approved Building Sets" in partnership with the Div. of Planning and the community.

  • While Patrick understands the need to build housing, he also understands the needs and desires of our community to ensure that the community stays in the driver's seat of this development. That is why as Ward D Councilman, Patrick will work to legislate the creation of “Pre-Approved Building Sets” that will dictate the building types and styles that the community most want to see. Patrick will work alongside the Div. of Planning and with community groups to hold specific visioning sessions on what style of buildings people want to see in their community. This will set the basis for our Pre-Approved Building Sets. This will allow us to address our housing crisis and affordability, while also ensuring that our community’s history and desires are respected. This will result in expedited permitting, quicker build times, and cohesive design within Ward D. Gone will be the days of “Bayonne Boxes.”​

• Create a "Build JC" program to encourage development of affordable housing

  • By partnering homeowners and nonprofit developers - alongside federal and state dollars - we can encourage the development and creation of affordable rental & affordable homeownership units in smaller scale developments.​​​