As more major corporations want to call Newark home and more people from New York City are coming in looking for bargain rents, local officials assembled a new commission to fight gentrification.
Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Manager of the Office of Affordable Housing 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 Director David Troutt held a news conference this week to announce the creation of the Equitable Growth Advisory Commission.
The 15-member commission will consist of experts drawn from the city’s community, academic, business and nonprofit sectors to ensure that development policies and projects in Newark incorporate the principle of equitable growth. It will make recommendations and provide advice on planning and land use laws and policies; housing law and policy; public financing for housing, real estate and infrastructure development; and related public health matters, business development and procurement.
“Newark must not become another Brooklyn,” 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.”
Officials said Newark is benefiting from economic and real estate development that will transform city neighborhoods and bring greater resources to residents. However, they want to keep housing affordable while the city transforms.