Affordable Housing:

A Commitment to Plainfield's Future

Dear Community Member,



The lack of affordable housing is a nationwide crisis that continues to deepen, affecting communities across the country, including right here in New Jersey. Since the pandemic, the cost of living has steadily increased, placing an even greater strain on working families. Groceries, utilities, and other essential goods have all surged in price, and housing costs have followed suit, making it increasingly difficult for many to find safe, stable, and affordable homes.

In Plainfield, we recognize this challenge and refuse to ignore the needs of our residents. My administration is fully committed to ensuring that our city remains a place where everyone—regardless of income—can live, work, and thrive. That is why we have set an ambitious goal to build 1,000 new affordable housing units over the next four years. This commitment is about more than just numbers; it is about providing real solutions that keep families in Plainfield and allow our community to grow inclusively.

To achieve this goal, we have partnered with developers to construct brand-new, high-quality, affordable rental units and affordable townhomes for sale. These developments will provide more than just shelter; they will offer families a chance at stability and homeownership. Additionally, we are working closely with developers to ensure they contribute to a dedicated fund designed to assist potential homeowners with down payment costs. This initiative will help remove financial barriers for families who wish to transition from renting to owning, allowing them to invest in their future and build wealth.

Housing stability is the foundation of strong communities, and we want every resident to have the opportunity to stay and prosper in Plainfield. By offering a diverse range of housing options—affordable rentals, townhomes, and homeownership assistance—we are creating a pathway for all residents to find housing that meets their needs. Our city is stronger when its people have a place to call home, and we will continue to work tirelessly to make that a reality.



The rising cost of living may be a national issue, but in Plainfield, we are taking local action to ensure that no one is left behind. My administration is dedicated to addressing the housing crisis head-on, providing solutions that uplift and empower our residents. We may face struggles, but in Plainfield, we rise together. We may encounter obstacles, but we turn them into opportunities. Our strength is in our unity, and our determination will pave the way for a future where everyone has a place to call home. Together, we will ensure that Plainfield remains a welcoming and dynamic community for generations to come.

#LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield



Creating One Plainfield. One Future.

Sincerely,

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp

City of Plainfield

Vivienda Asequible: Un Compromiso

con el Futuro de Plainfield

Querido(a) Community Member,

La falta de vivienda asequible es una crisis nacional que sigue profundizándose y que afecta a comunidades de todo el país, incluso aquí en Nueva Jersey. Desde la pandemia, el costo de vida ha aumentado de manera constante, lo que ejerce una presión aún mayor sobre las familias trabajadoras. Los alimentos, los servicios públicos y otros bienes esenciales han aumentado de precio, y los costos de la vivienda han seguido su ejemplo, lo que hace que sea cada vez más difícil para muchas personas encontrar viviendas seguras, estables y asequibles.

En Plainfield, reconocemos este desafío y nos negamos a ignorar las necesidades de nuestros residentes. Mi administración está totalmente comprometida a garantizar que nuestra ciudad siga siendo un lugar donde todos, independientemente de sus ingresos, puedan vivir, trabajar y prosperar. Es por eso que nos hemos fijado una meta ambiciosa de construir 1000 nuevas unidades de vivienda asequible en los próximos cuatro años. Este compromiso es más que solo números; se trata de brindar soluciones reales que mantengan a las familias en Plainfield y permitan que nuestra comunidad crezca de manera inclusiva.

Para lograr este objetivo, nos hemos asociado con desarrolladores para construir unidades de alquiler nuevas, asequibles y de alta calidad y casas adosadas asequibles para la venta. Estos desarrollos brindarán más que solo refugio; ofrecerán a las familias la oportunidad de estabilidad y propiedad de una vivienda. Además, estamos trabajando en estrecha colaboración con los desarrolladores para asegurarnos de que contribuyan a un fondo dedicado diseñado para ayudar a los posibles propietarios de viviendas con los costos del pago inicial. Esta iniciativa ayudará a eliminar las barreras financieras para las familias que desean pasar de alquilar a ser propietarios, lo que les permitirá invertir en su futuro y generar riqueza.

La estabilidad de la vivienda es la base de las comunidades fuertes y queremos que todos los residentes tengan la oportunidad de quedarse y prosperar en Plainfield. Al ofrecer una amplia gama de opciones de vivienda (alquileres asequibles, casas adosadas y asistencia para la propiedad de la vivienda), estamos creando un camino para que todos los residentes encuentren una vivienda que satisfaga sus necesidades. Nuestra ciudad es más fuerte cuando su gente tiene un lugar al que llamar hogar y seguiremos trabajando incansablemente para que eso sea una realidad.

El aumento del costo de vida puede ser un problema nacional, pero en Plainfield, estamos tomando medidas locales para garantizar que nadie se quede atrás. Mi administración está dedicada a abordar la crisis de la vivienda de frente, brindando soluciones que mejoren y empoderen a nuestros residentes. Podemos enfrentar dificultades, pero en Plainfield, nos levantamos juntos. Podemos encontrar obstáculos, pero los convertimos en oportunidades. Nuestra fuerza está en nuestra unidad, y nuestra determinación allanará el camino para un futuro en el que todos tengan un lugar al que llamar hogar. Juntos, nos aseguraremos de que Plainfield siga siendo una comunidad acogedora y dinámica para las generaciones venideras.



#LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield

Creando Un Plainfield. Un Futuro.

Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp

Ciudad de Plainfield

On February 24th, Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, Councilman Robert K. Graham, and members of the city administration hosted a town hall meeting in the 1^st Ward at the Emerson School as part of an ongoing series to engage with residents across Plainfield. The meeting provided an open forum where city officials gave updates on current and upcoming initiatives and responded directly to community questions and concerns.

Mayor Mapp highlighted some of the city's more impactful redevelopment initiatives, emphasizing the expansion of affordable and market-rate housing. He reassured residents that the commitment to build 1000 affordable units for rent over the next four years is designed to uplift Plainfield without displacing current residents. Investments in infrastructure have improved the city’s landscape and were accomplished while holding property taxes steady. Additionally, the administration reaffirmed its commitment to recreational spaces, announcing multimillion-dollar upgrades to parks, sports complexes, and the upcoming Center of Excellence, a state-of-the-art recreational and cultural facility.

Public safety and quality of life were major topics of discussion. Police Director James Abney shared promising crime statistics, noting that 2024 was a homicide-free year for the city. The department is also rolling out new traffic enforcement measures, expanding neighborhood watch programs, and deploying AI-powered surveillance for enhanced public safety. Meanwhile, Director Dabney from the Department of Public Works provided updates on flood mitigation efforts, including targeted federal grant programs to assist affected homeowners.

Jazz Clayton-Hunt, Director of Communications and Technology, highlighted details about phase two of the SMART City Initiative, sharing that every park in Plainfield, as well as the New Pedestrian Plaza, will have free Hi-speed WIFI, blanket camera coverage, and AI-powered weapon detection, will be deployed across the city. Economic Development Director Zenobia Fields highlighted the administration’s efforts to bring a nationally recognized supermarket chain to Plainfield to enhance grocery options, in addition to sharing the vision for planned economic growth.

The town hall ended with an interactive Q&A session where residents asked questions about parking availability, rent increases, infrastructure capacity, and public utilities. The administration reiterated its dedication to addressing these issues through ongoing initiatives, policy updates, and increased transparency. Mayor Mapp closed the evening by reaffirming the city's commitment to progress and growth and shared dates for upcoming town halls in the 2^nd and 3^rd Ward. 

The City of Plainfield is celebrating a monumental achievement as the Plainfield High School Boys Varsity Basketball Team clinched the Union County Championship with a thrilling victory over Roselle Catholic High School in the final game at Kean University. To honor the team’s dedication and hard work, Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and his administration hosted a victory dinner at Mamajuana Café for the players, coaches, and their families.

Throughout the season, Mayor Mapp has been an ardent supporter of the team, attending as many games as possible and following their journey closely. This championship win is especially significant after last year’s heartbreaking loss in the finals to Elizabeth High School. At that time, Mayor Mapp had made a friendly bet with Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage—the losing mayor would treat the winning team to pizza. True to his word, Mayor Mapp sent pizzas to the Elizabeth team while also ensuring that Plainfield’s team shared in the gesture. This year, however, Plainfield emerged victorious, bringing the championship title home where it belongs.

The celebratory dinner at Mamajuana Café was filled with joy and camaraderie as players, coaches, and families reflected on the team’s journey and hard-fought victory. Mayor Mapp addressed the attendees, emphasizing the inspirational impact of this triumph on young athletes across the city.

"This championship win is not just about basketball—it’s about perseverance, discipline, and teamwork. These young men have shown us what dedication looks like, and they serve as an inspiration to all the young athletes in our community," said Mayor Mapp. "This dinner is just a small token of our appreciation for their hard work and the pride they bring to Plainfield."

The Mayor further stated that he and his administration wanted to ensure that the team’s efforts were celebrated.

"We did not want the hard work of the team to go unrecognized after their passionate efforts, so we thought it was only fitting to do something special for them," he said.

The Union County Championship victory is a momentous occasion for Plainfield, not only because of the trophy but because of the values it represents—commitment, teamwork, and community spirit. The city looks forward to seeing what the future holds for this talented group of young athletes. Go Cardinals!

The Union County Board of County Commissioners, in partnership with the Union County Sheriff’s Office, is offering a free self-defense class for women ages 18 and older on Tuesday, March 11, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.This hands-on class will be held in the gym at the John H. Stamler Police Academy, located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

“After seeing such an incredible response last year and receiving so much positive feedback, I knew we had to bring this program back,” said Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “Many women shared how empowered they felt after attending, and countless others requested additional classes so they, too, could participate. As part of this year’s Union County 2025: Connecting Communities, Committed to Progress initiative, we remain dedicated to expanding programs that directly enhance our residents’ safety and confidence. This class exemplifies that mission, and I encourage all Union County women ages 18 and over to take advantage of this free opportunity to learn essential self-defense skills. The well-being and security of women in our community remain a top priority.”

Experienced and certified officers will guide participants through effective self-defense moves, safety precautions, and strategies to minimize potential dangers. This class is designed for women to build confidence and gain skills to protect themselves and their loved ones, empowering them to respond to possible threats.

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Altering Square-Footage Requirement Could Open Up Thousands of Classrooms in Child Care Centers to State-Funded Preschools

TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy today announced a cross-agency effort spanning the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE), the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF), and the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) to align preschool and child care square footage requirements to a single standard. This move aims to bolster the State’s mixed delivery model by addressing one of the most frequently cited barriers faced by local education and child care officials as communities across New Jersey look to establish or expand state-funded preschool and child care programs. Mixed delivery refers to serving three-to-four-year-old children in classroom settings that meet all State regulations, and are operated by a combination of school districts, Head Start programs, and private providers.

DOE and DCF have begun the process of amending their respective rules to hold state-funded and licensed child care centers and preschool programs to the same minimum space requirement of 42 square feet of usable space per child. The Administration intends to formally publish the rulemaking proposal for public comment in spring 2025.

The proposed rule change is backed by national research on best practices in classroom space per preschool child. The National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend preschool classroom square footage should range between 42 to 54 square feet per preschool child.

Click HERE to READ MORE!

Questions or Concerns? Reach us at:

Office: 908-753-3015 Email: communications@plainfieldnj.gov 

THE CITY OF PLAINFIELD, NJ

515 WATCHUNG AVENUE | 908-753-3310| MONDAY-FRIDAY | 9 A.M.- 5 P.M.|

Creating One Plainfield. One Future.

Volume 12 - Issue 08