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Council backs Lafayette Affordable Village, councilmembers split on housing policy
Summary
Paterson's council voted to determine the Lafayette Affordable Village project meets a local housing need, enabling the developer to pursue funding; vote was 7 in favor, 1 recusal, 1 absent after extended debate about the city’s affordable-housing record and developer roles.
The Paterson Municipal Council on March 18 adopted a resolution finding that the Lafayette Affordable Village housing project meets or will meet an existing housing need in Paterson, a step the sponsor said would help the developer pursue state and federal subsidies.
The resolution, presented by council members involved in economic development, drew substantive debate on the council floor about the city’s record on public housing and the responsibilities of the council, the housing authority and private developers. Sponsors described the vote as a technical letter of support used in funding applications; critics used the discussion to raise long-standing concerns about reduced public housing inventory and market-rate conversions.
Councilwoman Davila, who moved the measure, said the project targets veterans, seniors and young adults and could expand affordable options where they are needed. She and other backers noted local community organizations and developers partnering on the proposal.
Councilman Jackson described the city’s broader housing work as uneven and warned that prior redevelopment had reduced public housing capacity; he said he would support the measure but insisted the council must do more oversight on larger housing policy choices.
Councilwoman Davila said the resolution simply indicates support for the developer to apply for affordability funding; the full project would return to the council for any land-use or subsidy-related approvals.
Vote and next steps The council adopted the resolution by roll call: seven yes votes, one recusal (Councilwoman Cotton) and one absence. The economic development department and the developer are expected to file funding applications; council members asked for updates on any awarded subsidies and any agreements that would affect tax or city-owned parcels.
The vote does not itself authorize contracts or zoning changes; it is a formal local determination often required for applications to state affordable-housing or subsidized-financing programs.
Who spoke (selected) - Councilwoman Davila (sponsor): framed the project as meeting needs for veterans and multigenerational households. - Councilman Jackson: pressed the council to hold the administration and developers accountable and highlighted past decisions that changed public-housing inventory. - Councilman Velez and Councilman Oden: described the developer and community partners as experienced and urged support for projects that provide housing options.
Council direction and follow-up Council members asked Economic Development to file the letter and report back on the status of any grant or low-income housing tax-credit applications and to provide a timeline for any land-use approvals or city-owned land transfers required to proceed.
