The below responses are the unedited responses of Jersey City Councilman Yousef Saleh to the Better Blocks New Jersey LD-32 questionnaire.
Saleh is seeking the Democratic nomination on June 10. He is running under Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s Democrats for Change ticket with Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez.
Land Use Reform
1. Do you support statewide zoning reform to allow multi-family housing in areas currently zoned exclusively for single-family homes?
• Strongly Support
I believe that expanding multi-family housing options is critical to addressing our state’s housing shortage and affordability crisis. We need to create inclusive neighborhoods that offer diverse housing types to meet the needs of all residents.
2. Would you vote to legalize Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) statewide, overriding local bans or restrictions?
• Yes
ADUs provide affordable, flexible housing options and help increase density responsibly. They can be a valuable tool to offer more housing choices without drastically changing neighborhood character.
3. Would you vote to legalize single-stair buildings statewide, overriding local bans or restrictions? If yes, do you support four-stories or some higher number? If no, why not?
• Yes
I support allowing single-stair buildings up to four stories, which balances cost-effective construction and safety. Increasing height where appropriate can help expand affordable housing while maintaining livability.
Transit-Oriented Development (“TOD”)
4. Should the state preempt local zoning laws near major transit stations to allow “by-right” development of multi-family or mixed-income housing?
• Depends
I support “by-right” development near transit when it includes strong affordable housing commitments and community benefits. Local voices must still be heard to ensure new developments align with neighborhood needs.
5. A developer has proposed (link) a 1,000 unit (150 designated income-restricted affordable units and 100 workforce units for artists) apartment building at 150 Bay Street in downtown Jersey City. This development would also include a new public school for Kindergarten through Sixth Grade, a public plaza, and no parking spots. Do you support this project? If yes, would you support more projects like this within half a mile of PATH or NJ Transit HBLR stations in (or near) your legislative district?
• Yes
I strongly support this project and others like it because it represents exactly the kind of smart, community-focused development we need. With 150 deeply affordable units and 100 workforce artist units, this proposal helps address the housing crisis while also recognizing the role of artists and working people in our urban fabric. Including a brand-new K-6 public school directly in the building is a game-changing investment in our education system, especially in a fast-growing area. The public plaza adds essential open space, and the car-free design encourages transit use, aligns with our climate goals, and supports a healthier, more walkable city. We should be building more transit-oriented, mixed-use developments like this across the district.
6. Would you back legislation that removes minimum parking requirements near transit (within half a mile) to reduce housing production costs and promote TOD?
• Yes
Minimum parking requirements near transit stations drive up costs and encourage car use. Removing these mandates helps lower housing costs and supports more sustainable, transit-friendly development.
7. Should the state provide funding or tax credits for municipalities that adopt pro-housing zoning reforms near transit?
• Yes
Incentivizing local governments to embrace smart zoning reforms is a powerful way to accelerate affordable housing production and maximize the benefits of transit access.
Housing Affordability and Public Land Use
8. Do you support ending the 30-year exemption on rent control for new rental buildings?
• Yes
The 30-year exemption has allowed developers to sidestep rent control for far too long, driving up costs and displacing longtime residents. I support ending this exemption because it is critical that new rental buildings contribute to housing stability, not undermine it. Communities across Legislative District 32 are facing an affordability crisis, and we need every tool available to protect renters, including applying rent control to new construction. We can still incentivize development through other means, but protecting tenants must come first.
9. Do you support defining what “unconscionable” means with respect to rent increases?
If yes, how – or at what rate – would you define the term “unconscionable” and if no, why not?
• Yes
Clear guidelines are needed to prevent exploitative rent hikes. I would support defining “unconscionable” as any increase significantly above inflation or regional wage growth.
10. Do you support using surplus state or local land (such as government-owned parking lots, disused buildings, etc.) to build affordable or mixed-income housing?
• Strongly Support
Using public land efficiently to create affordable housing is a smart and necessary step to address our housing crisis and ensure community assets serve all residents.
11. Do you support banning institutional ownership of single-family homes or multi-family homes under four units?
• Strongly Support
• Support – with conditions
• Oppose
• Strongly Oppose
Ban hedge funds and private equity from purchasing 1-4 family homes. I would not ban small time investors but we’d need to find a way to differentiate based off of market cap/ total assets.
12. Would you support funding a state-led expansion of the housing choice voucher program to give low-income residents more housing choice?
• Strongly Support
Housing vouchers are essential tools that give low-income residents greater access to quality neighborhoods and housing opportunities.
13. Would you vote for legislation requiring municipalities to meet minimum housing production targets, including affordable housing, as a condition of receiving certain state funds?
• Yes
Accountability is key. Municipalities must do their part to help solve the housing shortage if they want to access state resources
14. If you had to choose between an expansion of state-led housing choice voucher program and funding the production of affordable housing units, which would you choose?
• Affordable housing production
While vouchers are vital, increasing the supply of affordable housing units offers a long-term solution to meet demand and stabilize communities.
15. Would you vote for legislation that bans junk fees in rental agreements like broker fees statewide?
• Yes
Eliminating unfair fees helps renters save money and makes housing more accessible.
16. Would you vote for legislation that bans applications like RealPage from aggregating rental price data?
• Yes – with conditions
The way it’s banned is important and it cannot be overbroad and ban the use of publicly available data. We have to be careful how it’s done and legislation cannot be sloppily written. I believe the portion of the application that specifically recommends rental increases should be banned. The only similar possible comparison is automatic sell offs caused by certain market conditions which create a feedback loop of sell offs, and the market will shut down if it reaches a certain threshold. There should be guardrails. I think ultimately the rent setting algorithm is a convenient headline catching issue, but does not impact a broad swath of the market that its advocates use as a rallying cry. It’s like screaming about plastic straws in turtle noses while Taylor Swift jet sets around the country. There should be a clarion call for new housing and state level zoning changes to allow for new housing.
Green Space, Resilience, and Smart Growth
17. Should new development projects be allowed to build more densely if they fund or provide nearby public green space or parks?
• Yes
Density paired with green space supports healthy, vibrant communities.
18. Do you support the Caven Point Protection Act for Liberty State Park?
• Yes
Liberty State Park is one of New Jersey’s most treasured public spaces and Caven Point is an irreplaceable natural habitat that must be permanently protected. I fully support the Caven Point Protection Act to ensure this ecologically sensitive area remains free from commercial development, private interests, or any effort to restrict public access. As our communities grow and open space becomes more limited, protecting parks like Liberty State Park is not only about preserving green space but about safeguarding environmental justice, public health, and our shared quality of life for generations to come.
19. Would you support legislation that prohibits the use of any state park as a venue for professional sports and protects all state parkland from commercial development and stadium construction?
• Yes
Parks should remain public spaces for recreation and nature, not commercial enterprises.
Street Safety and Highway Policies
20. If elected, will you champion or co-sponsor legislation that advances Vision Zero statewide?
• Yes
Eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries through a Vision Zero framework is a top priority. Everyone deserves to feel safe walking, biking, driving, or using transit in their communities. I will support legislation that redesigns dangerous roads, lowers speed limits where appropriate, increases traffic calming infrastructure, and ensures equitable enforcement and investment in historically underserved areas. Public safety starts with our streets, and I believe we must treat traffic violence as a public health crisis and address it with urgency, data-driven policy, and accountability.
21. How would you describe your position to the New Jersey Turnpike Extension highway widening and replacement program?
• Strongly Oppose
I strongly oppose the NJ Turnpike Extension widening. This $10 billion project is a shortsighted and wasteful investment in outdated infrastructure. Decades of research have shown that expanding highways does not reduce congestion. It increases traffic, worsens pollution, and deepens our reliance on cars while threatening neighborhoods and public health. We should be prioritizing public transit upgrades, bus rapid transit, and walkable infrastructure. Jersey City and surrounding communities deserve clean air, safe streets, and a transportation system that puts people first. Investing in sustainable alternatives will do more for our economy and our environment than another lane of traffic ever could.
22. Would you introduce or sponsor legislation that allows the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to implement dynamic, demand-based variable tolling (commonly referred to as “HOT Lanes”) for express lanes on I-78, Garden State Parkway, and the New Jersey Turnpike?
• Yes
I would carefully review any such proposals to ensure fairness and effectiveness.
23. Do you support New York’s Congestion Pricing?
• Yes
I support congestion pricing because it is an effective tool to reduce traffic congestion in busy urban areas while encouraging people to use public transportation. By charging drivers a fee to enter high-traffic zones during peak times, congestion pricing helps lower vehicle emissions, improves air quality, and creates safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists. Importantly, the revenue generated from congestion pricing can be reinvested directly into transit improvements, expanding and enhancing public transportation options that benefit everyone. This approach aligns with a sustainable vision for our region’s future, promoting smarter, cleaner, and more efficient mobility.
24. If any group, organization, or continuing political committee that supports or benefits from the Turnpike Extension were to support your campaign directly or indirectly, would you return the money and disavow the support?
• Yes
I hold to strict ethical standards and would reject conflicting support.
Public Transportation Access & Affordability
25. Would you support reallocating funds from highway expansion projects to enhance public transportation infrastructure and services?
• Yes
Public transit is key to sustainable, equitable mobility.
26. Would you support incentivizing Hudson County and local municipalities with state funding to implement bus rapid transit lanes for NJTransit on select county or local roads like John F. Kennedy Blvd?
• Yes
Bus rapid transit improves speed and reliability, making transit more attractive.
27. Do you support the implementation of the Corporate Transit Fee—a 2.5% tax on corporations with net incomes over $10 million—as a dedicated funding source for NJ Transit?
• Yes
Corporations benefiting from transit should contribute fairly to its funding.
28. If you had to choose between transferring funding from 1) the New Jersey Turnpike Authority / NJDOT highway fund, 2) implementing a corporate transit fee, or 3) raising the sales tax to fund transit, which policy would you implement? You may only choose one.
Implementing a Corporate Transit Fee
I would choose the corporate transit fee because it places the financial responsibility on large corporations that have the greatest ability to contribute, rather than on everyday residents who already face high living costs. This fee is a fair and sustainable way to generate dedicated funding for NJ Transit, helping to improve and expand public transportation without increasing taxes on working families. By asking profitable corporations to invest in the infrastructure that supports their employees and customers, we can build a stronger transit system that benefits the entire community while protecting residents from additional financial burdens.
Commitment to Urban Vitality Issues
29. Will you meet with Better Blocks New Jersey to shape legislation and priorities in Trenton?
• Yes
I strongly believe that community input is essential to creating policies that truly serve the people. Organizations like Better Blocks New Jersey bring valuable perspectives from residents and local stakeholders who understand the unique challenges and opportunities in their neighborhoods. By collaborating with them, I can ensure that legislation reflects real community needs, promotes equitable development, and fosters safer, more vibrant public spaces. Engaging with grassroots groups is key to building trust and making meaningful progress in areas like housing, transit, and street safety.
30. Is there anything else we should know about your policies regarding housing, transit, street safety, or public parks?
I’m deeply committed to building equitable and sustainable neighborhoods where every resident has the opportunity to thrive. During my time as a Jersey City Councilman, I have worked to improve street safety by supporting Vision Zero initiatives and advocating for safer pedestrian crossings and traffic calming measures. I have also pushed for investments in public transit and worked to improve bus service and infrastructure that connect people to jobs and essential services.
On housing, I’ve worked to promote affordable and mixed-income development to ensure our neighborhoods remain inclusive and accessible. I’m dedicated to protecting and expanding public parks and green spaces like Liberty State Park because I know how vital they are for community health and resilience.
Moving forward, I will continue to support smart growth strategies that balance development with environmental protection and quality of life. My goal is to make sure our communities grow smarter, safer, and fairer for everyone.
Candidate Information
Candidate Name: Yousef J. Saleh
Campaign Name: Ramirez and Saleh for Assembly
One response to “Yousef Saleh Answers the Better Blocks Questionnaire”
[…] enjoys a wide range of support from elected officials and candidates such as Mayor Steven Fulop, Councilman Yousef Saleh, Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez, Assemblywoman Barbara McCann Stamato, Hoboken Mayor and presumptive […]