Better Blocks NJ Endorses Bill O’Dea for Mayor

Grassroots Advocacy Organization Cites O’Dea’s “Unparalleled Understanding of Development and its Impact on Municipal Budgets,” Slams Solomon’s Plans as “Deeply Misguided” 

Better Blocks NJ, a grassroots housing advocacy organization made up of Jersey City residents, has endorsed Bill O’Dea for Mayor in its Voter Guide that was released today. The organization said that O’Dea “knows the details of real estate finance and the costs of funding affordable housing better than any other candidate in the race” and that he has an “unparalleled understanding of development and its impact on municipal budgets.”

“Housing affordability is the most important issue facing Jersey City, and I’m the only candidate with the experience and understanding of the intricacies of housing policy necessary to make our community more affordable,” said O’Dea. “I’m grateful to the volunteers at Better Blocks for their support and their recognition of the strength of our housing plan. As Mayor, I’ll get to work on day one to build 2,800 new affordable housing units and ensure that developers are delivering the housing supply, job creation, tax revenue and community givebacks that our residents deserve.” 

The Better Blocks Voter Guide is highly critical of Councilman James Solomon’s approach to housing, calling it “deeply misguided.” It goes on to say that: “[Solomon’s plans] would price out renters as development slows and market-rate housing costs rise to subsidize the few affordable housing lottery units produced, ultimately still leading to displacement.”