Bring Down Homelessness – James Solomon for Mayor

James Solomon’s Plan to Bring Down Homelessness Safely and with Compassion

For too long, Jersey City has struggled with persistent homelessness—but with smart, compassionate, and focused policies, we can change that. As Mayor, I’ll bring down homelessness to make our streets and public spaces safer for everyone, while ensuring that those in need get the help they deserve.

The fact is, too many of our neighbors in Jersey City are either homeless or on the brink of homelessness. Last year’s Point-in-Time Count, which is the best available measure of housing insecurity in our community, indicated a 16% rise in homelessness across Jersey City from 2023 to 2024. Homelessness is a complicated issue with many causes, but Jersey City government can do a much better job of addressing the problem with stronger housing policies and better targeting of the mental health and addiction issues that often keep people on the streets.. As Mayor, James’s approach to addressing homelessness will combine compassion and common sense. James has already proposed the boldest housing plan of any candidate for Jersey City Mayor, recognizing that, for many residents, housing affordability is the primary cause of housing insecurity. James will also invest in proven strategies to reduce homelessness, partnering with County and State Government to stretch each dollar as far as possible. Through hard, compassionate work, we can bring down homelessness and make Jersey City a better, safer and more livable city.

Prevent Our Neighbors from Becoming Homeless in the First Place. The simplest and most powerful way to address the homelessness crisis is to ensure that our neighbors never become homeless in the first place. James’s Housing Plan will create thousands of additional affordable units and protect tenants from abusive landlords by stopping double-digit rent increases in all residential buildings, enforcing rent control laws, and banning landlords from artificially raising rents by charging junk fees or using rent-setting software. As Councilman, James passed the Right to Counsel ordinance, which is the City’s most important homelessness prevention measure in decades. As Mayor, he will build on this by implementing Right to Counsel, investing in targeted short-term rental assistance to families and individuals at immediate risk of homelessness, and expanding rapid rehousing programs to prevent families from entering a cycle of long-term homelessness. Many social service nonprofits and houses of worship in Jersey City already run successful homelessness prevention programs; James will coordinate funding through these programs to maximize their impact.
Invest in a “Housing First” Approach to Reduce Chronic Homelessness. For those families and individuals who nevertheless experience homelessness, James will deploy a “Housing First” approach—the most proven policy response for reducing homelessness long-term. Housing First provides housing to people who are homeless or housing insecure without preconditions like staying in a shelter or graduating from a lengthy and complicated recovery program. Other cities have seen drastic reductions in homelessness by using expert outreach teams and centralized data tracking to identify all homeless residents, and then providing these residents with transitional and permanent housing, along with necessary supportive services like case management, and mental health and addiction treatment, and counseling to reduce the risk of getting involved with criminal activity. James’s administration will partner with County Government and nonprofit housing and service providers, neighboring cities, and our major healthcare providers to create such a truly integrated homelessness response system, and expand the number of available supportive housing units to meet this need.
Prioritize Providing Mental Health Services to Our Neighbors in Need. Studies have long shown a clear link between homelessness and mental health. Mental illness is a significant risk factor for homelessness, and housing insecurity often creates and worsens mental health issues. As Mayor, James will work to increase the availability of evidence-based treatment programs for our homeless and housing insecure neighbors who are struggling with mental health challenges. Programs like Assertive Community Treatment, or “ACT”, which provide intensive treatment from trained professionals, as well as support, and rehabilitation in a community setting, have been shown to be successful at moving chronically homeless people experiencing acute mental health issues from street homelessness to supportive housing and long-term stability.

James Solomon Unveils Comprehensive Plan to Combat Homelessness in Jersey City with Compassion and Safety

Jersey City, NJ—James Solomon is running for Mayor with a clear goal: bring down homelessness to make our streets and public spaces safer for everyone. His plan combines compassion and smart solutions to address the crisis head-on and improve quality of life across Jersey City.

Mayoral candidate James Solomon said: “We can bring down homelessness while also improving quality of life in Jersey City. For too long, homelessness has been an issue for Jersey City and it is one I am prepared to solve as Mayor. We don’t have to just accept things, we can change them, and this policy will do just that by adopting a housing first approach, improving mental health services and stopping homelessness in the first place by creating thousands of affordable housing units.”

Recent data from the Point-in-Time Count reveals a troubling 16% increase in homelessness across Jersey City from 2023 to 2024. Solomon believes that while homelessness is a multifaceted issue, with roots in housing, mental health, and equity, targeted policies can bring substantial improvements. As part of his mayoral campaign, Solomon has crafted a bold housing plan and intends to leverage collaboration with County and State Governments to optimize resources and extend the impact of every dollar spent.

Solomon’s comprehensive plan highlights three key pillars:

Preventing Homelessness: Solomon emphasizes prevention as the cornerstone of his strategy, proposing to create thousands of affordable housing units and combat exploitative rental practices. Measures include enforcing rent control laws, banning unreasonable rent hikes, and implementing stricter regulations on landlord practices. Building on his successful Right to Counsel ordinance, Solomon will expand support for families at risk of homelessness through targeted rental assistance and rapid rehousing programs. By partnering with local nonprofits and places of worship, Solomon aims to amplify the impact of existing prevention efforts.

Adopting a “Housing First” Approach: For individuals and families already experiencing homelessness, Solomon advocates for a “Housing First” model, which prioritizes providing housing without preconditions such as shelter stays or completion of recovery programs. By utilizing expert outreach teams and centralized data tracking, his administration plans to expand supportive housing units and offer necessary services including case management, mental health treatment, and addiction counseling. Collaborating with County Government, nonprofit providers, neighboring cities, and healthcare organizations, Solomon will establish an integrated homelessness response system designed for long-term success.

Enhancing Mental Health Services: Recognizing the intrinsic link between mental health and homelessness, Solomon is committed to increasing access to evidence-based mental health programs for those at risk. Programs like Assertive Community Treatment will be expanded to offer intensive treatment, support, and rehabilitation in community settings, facilitating the transition of chronically homeless individuals from the streets to stable housing and long-term wellbeing.

James Solomon’s Plan to Bring Down Homelessness Safely and with Compassion

James Solomon Unveils Comprehensive Plan to Combat Homelessness in Jersey City with Compassion and Safety

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