Better Blocks New Jersey

A Better New Jersey – One Block at a Time

Better Blocks is an all-volunteer New Jersey Continuing Political Committee dedicated to shaping more vibrant, inclusive, and livable communities through better land use and development policies.

We are a grass-roots organization dedicated to bringing together Jersey City residents, experts, and advocates to push elected officials to make better policy at the state, county, and municipal level—on housing, transportation, street safety, and public spaces.

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Policy Initiatives for Better Blocks

Better Blocks supports evidence-based policies to build more affordable housing, improve transit reliability, and create more pleasant and vibrant public parks and streets. We work with local elected officials and candidates seeking office to implement policies that make for more welcoming and vibrant cities.

Housing Positions

Granting density bonuses for providing affordable units near mass transit, especially in wealthy neighborhoods
Advocating to modernize NJ’s building code to allow new single-stair mid-rise construction
Building more accessory dwelling units (ADUs), i.e. “mother-in-law suites”
Allowing “by right” construction for meeting affordable housing targets
Simplifying affordable housing requirements to encourage developers to use the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance and Affordable Housing Overlay
Promulgating rules on objective criteria to earn a PILOT agreement for housing
Encouraging more walkability at street level in new development

Transit Priorities

Returning off-peak and weekend PATH train service to under 10 minute headways
Expanding PATH to the EWR train station and HBLR to Bayfront and Bergen County
Improving NJTransit bus and rail operations through permanent funding
Stopping the disastrous $11 Billion Turnpike widening in Hudson County

Safe Streets Advocacy

Implementing Vision Zero to protect all road users
Upgrading major roads to include protected bike lanes to improve safety for bikers and pedestrians
Enforcing traffic and parking violations to deter bad road behavior and protect pedestrians, bike riders, and motorists alike from accidents
Creating more street-level pedestrian plazas
Improving pedestrian and bike connectivity in the street grid

Public Spaces

Protecting state and city parkland from commercialization and development
Investing in more space to build more outdoor active and passive recreation opportunities
Restoring the tree canopy in urban heat islands

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Events and Campaigns

Single-Stair Reform for New Jersey: Support A4972!

All across New Jersey, housing prices have been skyrocketing, as there is a critical shortage of new homes to keep up with job and population growth. We need more housing to keep residents in our state and keep housing costs affordable to regular New Jerseyans. While many factors are to blame, single-stair reform is one proven remedy that lowers the cost of constructing new housing and advances more affordable and diverse housing options.

Sign the Letter

Better PATH Campaign

The PATH system is a critical transportation link for commuters, residents, and visitors in New York & New Jersey. While it provides essential service, there is room for improvement to benefit riders and the economic vitality of the entire region. Hudson County Complete Streets is calling for more frequent off-peak PATH service.