Over 120 Residents Attend Bill O'Dea’s Inaugural Affordable Housing Town Hall, Fostering Community Dialogue on Critical Issue

Last night, County Commissioner and candidate for Jersey City Mayor Bill O'Dea successfully hosted his first town hall event dedicated to the critical issue of affordable housing. The event drew a significant turnout of over 120 residents as well as community leaders and housing advocates. Held at the Jersey City Education Association’s headquarters in Greenville, O’Dea’s town hall served as a vital platform for open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving regarding the housing challenges facing Jersey City. 

The town hall began with a detailed policy presentation from O'Dea, who showcased his depth of knowledge on the issue as both a longtime elected official and as the Executive Director of a nonprofit organization that has built over 1,000 units of affordable housing. O’Dea walked through his plans to require new developments receiving tax incentives to set aside at least 20% affordable housing units, as well as his ideas on building more workforce housing for middle class residents, partnering with faith-based organizations to build affordable housing and much more. 

"Affordable housing isn't just a policy issue; it's a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of a thriving community," O'Dea stated. "Last night was about listening directly to the experiences and ideas of our neighbors, understanding the true scope of this challenge, and working together to find sustainable solutions."

Attendees actively participated in a robust discussion, sharing personal stories, raising concerns about rising rents and property values, and offering diverse perspectives on potential strategies for making Jersey City more affordable. O'Dea engaged directly with attendees, responding to questions and making plans to follow up on specific concerns raised, and also distributed informational materials on current affordable housing programs and initiatives. 

"The insights we heard from residents at this event are invaluable, and there are several ideas that we will now be adding to our housing platform," O'Dea concluded. "This is just the beginning of a crucial conversation. We must continue to work hand-in-hand with all stakeholders to implement effective policies that ensure everyone in Jersey City has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home."

The event was also attended by Team O’Dea Council candidates Kristen Zadroga-Hart, Saundra Robinson Green, Pam Johnson, Joel Brooks, Tom Zuppa and Daniel Israel, as well as District 32 Assembly Democratic nominee Katie Brennan, members of 32BJ SEIU and leaders from several local nonprofits and churches. O’Dea’s campaign plans to hold additional Town Hall events on affordable housing and other critical topics throughout the city leading up to the November mayoral election.