Hoboken Council approves affordable housing redevelopment plan amid community concerns

The Hoboken City Council meeting on June 4, 2025, focused on the redevelopment plan aimed at addressing the city's housing needs, particularly for low and moderate-income residents. The council discussed the importance of preserving existing affordable housing while also committing to the development of new units to meet the community's growing demands.

Key points from the meeting included a commitment to maintain the current number of affordable housing units during redevelopment efforts. The plan emphasizes a "one-for-one" replacement policy, ensuring that for every unit lost, a new unit will be built. Council members highlighted the necessity of increasing the availability of housing for seniors, acknowledging a significant unmet need in this demographic.

Councilman Russo addressed concerns raised by the public regarding the potential displacement of residents during the redevelopment process. He clarified that the plan involves building new units on existing parking lots, which would not displace current residents. Instead, tenants would be offered new units before any existing buildings are demolished.

The council also debated the merits of building market-rate housing versus affordable units. Russo argued that while market-rate developments could generate tax revenue, the primary goal should be to provide adequate housing for all income levels in Hoboken. He reiterated the city's housing crisis and the obligation to protect residents from being priced out of their homes.

The council concluded the meeting by voting in favor of the redevelopment plan, with all members expressing their commitment to ensuring that the housing needs of Hoboken's residents are met. The plan will be further detailed in future agreements, which will include protections for tenants and address concerns about displacement.