Posted inNews

Watchdog Sues Jersey City, Newark Landlords Over Housing Discrimination

A housing watchdog group has sued 26 landlords and brokers in Jersey City and Newark, alleging they illegally refuse to lease apartments to people who use government-subsidized vouchers to pay rent. The Housing Rights Initiative, a New York City-based nonprofit, filed a complaint in state Superior Court Wednesday asking a judge to declare the landlords, brokers, and […]

Posted inLatest News

Laborers’ Union Gathers to Protest Conditions and Pay at Local Building Sites

In a raucous, brightly colored show of strength, members of The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) rallied at Journal Square on Monday to call for higher wages and better working conditions on construction sites in Jersey City. Union spokesman Rob Lewandowski singled out Eatontown-based contractor Concrete Rising for particular opprobrium. According to Lewandowski, […]

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Housing Authority to Push Discounts on Internet to Low-Income Residents

The Jersey City Housing Authority has announced a plan to increase awareness of federal funding for discounts to low-income families on home internet service and on certain digital devices, an initiative it says could help 20,000 eligible local households.  The roughly $500,000 project will be funded by the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program designed to close […]

Posted inOpinion

Letter: Hey, Jersey City! Pass Right to Counsel Law

On Wednesday, April 12th at the Jersey City Council meeting, dozens of residents and supporters were animated enough by housing issues to spend five hours in the chamber and speak on behalf of two related ordinances. Members of the Jersey City government have often chosen the interests of development companies and landlords over those of renters, who […]

Posted inJournal Square

Council Nixes St. Pauls Plan, Green Lights 911 Contract and Right-to-Counsel

At Wednesday’s meeting, the City Council gave a thumbs-down to a proposal to make St. Pauls Avenue one-way, while approving a controversial contract to study the city’s 911 call center and moving ahead on a “right-to-counsel” law. After hearing arguments pro and con from a clearly divided neighborhood, the council voted to reject city transportation […]

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Faith Leaders and Advocates Endorse Right-to-Counsel Legislation

Jersey City Together, a coalition of over 100 pastors, faith leaders, and community advocates across Jersey City, endorsed the upcoming Right to Counsel and affordable housing legislation set to be introduced in City Hall this week.  The legislation, put forward last week by Mayor Steven Fulop, and Councilmembers James Solomon, Frank Gilmore, and Yousef J. Saleh is designed to […]

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Jersey City’s Liberal Cannabis Policy Meets Resistance in the Heights 

Jersey City’s the sky’s the limit policy on marijuana dispensaries is suddenly meeting with resistance in the Heights, where residents are concerned about issues ranging from teen smoking to aesthetics. As of March 13, the city’s Cannabis Control Board has approved 44 marijuana dispensaries including a disproportionate number — 14 — in Ward D.  In […]