Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced today that the city is advertising to fill the position of Affordable Housing Manager, a post created to ensure that Newark residents have access to the city’s growing number of affordable apartments and homes and that developers comply with the City’s new and existing affordable housing laws. The Affordable Housing Manager will lead the mayor’s initiative to create and preserve affordable homes and apartments in all of the city’s neighborhoods.

“The availability of affordable housing in Newark is growing fueled by new laws mandating that future development include housing that residents can afford. This is an important element of our strategy to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to benefit from the city’s surge of development and increasing prosperity. We are conducting a search to find someone who will connect residents with available affordable housing and ensure that developers comply with our affordable housing requirements.” Mayor Baraka said.

This position will be a senior-level executive role which will immediately coordinate the implementation of the Mayor’s Inclusionary Zoning Program and neighborhood housing preservation programs, develop a strategic approach to promoting housing for seniors and protected groups (LGBTQ, homeless and disabled); and propose innovative ways to engage Newark residents and interest groups to explore housing needs and opportunities. 

The Affordable Housing Manager will be responsible for:

• Making Newark residents aware      of the range of affordable housing opportunities.
• Creating, maintaining and      publicizing a central directory/office/website where residents can apply      for affordable housing units or be directed to where to apply.
• Ensuring that Newark residents      receive the preferences in rental decisions to which they are entitled
• Monitor the compliance by      developers of the City’s affordable housing mandates.
• Ensuring compliance with all      City affordable housing mandates and covenants.
• Overseeing the development and      implementation of a 5-year Affordable Housing Compliance and Management      Plan.
• Ensuring resident and      community involvement in policy development.

Affordable housing has been a major priority for the Baraka administration since taking office in 2014. The Housing Inclusion Ordinance, one of the strongest in the nation, mandates that developers that build or rehabilitate a development of more than 30 units must set aside 20 percent as affordable housing. A parallel ordinance requires that all developers receiving tax abatements must include affordable housing. The City’s efforts to expand and preserve affordability include the sale of city-owned plots of land to potential homeowners, financial and other help for residents interested in home buying, helping small contractors to grow and develop housing around the city, and programs to help homeowners with underwater mortgages to avoid foreclosure.

To apply for the position, send a resume and cover letter to Yolanda Rosario, Department of Economic and Housing Development, City Hall, 920 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey, or by e-mail to yolanda@ci.newark.nj.us