A Personal Reflection and a Vision for What’s Possible
I still remember the excitement of turning the key to my first apartment. It was 1991. I was 23, and I was paying $400 a month for a one-bedroom studio in Newark, New Jersey.
It wasn’t fancy. The walls were thin. The stove was tiny. But it was mine, and that mattered. That little studio represented the beginning of my adult life—freedom, responsibility, and the belief that if I worked hard enough, I could build something for myself.
Thirty-five years later, the world looks very different.
Today, a one-bedroom apartment in New Jersey averages over $2,000 a month, and the path to independence feels further out of reach for many young people than ever before. Instead of crossing the threshold into their own place, many 20- and 30-somethings are staying home longer, not by choice, but by necessity.
As someone who now has the privilege of both owning a home and renting a beautiful apartment close to work, I feel tremendous gratitude…and an even greater sense of responsibility.
Because I know I am one of the fortunate ones.
A Hard Truth We Must Face
New Jersey’s housing challenges are real. We face:
- A shortage of affordable units
- High construction and living costs
- Zoning that limits diverse housing choices
- Wages that haven’t kept pace
But behind the statistics are real people, young adults delaying independence, families stretching every dollar, seniors trying to stay in the communities they love. Housing shapes every aspect of a person’s life. When that foundation isn’t stable, opportunities become harder to reach.
Yet, amid these challenges, I also see possibilities. So many possibilities.
Why I Believe in New Jersey’s Future
Working in communications for New Jersey Future, I get to see firsthand how many brilliant, committed people are fighting for a more affordable, inclusive, and vibrant New Jersey.
Every day, NJF is:
- Advocating for more affordable housing
- Supporting smarter, equitable land-use policies
- Promoting walkable, connected communities
- Providing data and policy research that leaders rely on
- Collaborating with partners who believe in a fairer, brighter future
I’ve seen enough to know this–positive change is not only possible–it’s already beginning, and that fills me with joy.
Joy, because our state is full of people who care. Joy, because community is stronger than crisis. Joy, because a more affordable New Jersey is possible, and all of us can help make that a reality.
I invite you to take a step with us. Follow New Jersey Future to stay informed and uplift the work. Give to support our mission. Your generosity helps us advocate, research, and champion policies that move New Jersey forward.
Your support isn’t just a donation. It’s an investment in possibility. An investment in people. An investment in New Jersey’s future.
Thank you for believing in the power of community, compassion, and change. Together, we can make sure the next generation has the same chance I had at 23, a place to call home and a future filled with opportunity.
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