The Central Planning Board met on March 23, 2025, to discuss several notable projects, including a significant affordable housing development.

The CPB-25-07 project in the South Ward, proposed by New Home Memorial Community Development Corp. Inc., aimed at creating a 3-story building with 8 affordable housing units and social services for residents, was approved. One community member asked questions relating to affordability, but the Newark resident received no answer. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development defines affordable housing as 30% of gross income, which is relatively high for many families, especially in Newark, where the median household income is $48,416. Yet, despite this definition by the federal government, the National League of Cities states that ”the definition of affordable housing is nebulous, with different programs and stakeholders often adopting their own slightly different definitions of what is considered 'affordable housing.”

Another proposal on the agenda was Mulberry Pointe LLC’s application, CPB-24-87, for a large-scale mixed-use development with two 51-story towers. This development would offer 1,008 units and 388 parking spaces in the Central Ward of Newark. While the project received extensive discussion regarding parking and community impact, it reflects the ongoing trend of large-scale, mixed-use developments in the downtown area. The community’s involvement and feedback remain critical as new developments continue to be proposed across Newark. 

Interested in keeping Newark communities informed and contributing to more transparent meetings around the city? Join NWK Documenters today!