Essex Together/NJT celebrates Passage of YIGBY housing Plan.

Essex Together/NJT leaders and allies pushing for the passage of the YGIBY Plan.

On June 2nd, 2025, the Montclair, New Jersey Town Council voted to adopt Resolution R-25-161, endorsing the Fourth-Round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan for Montclair Township. The vote, which had five council members affirming and two against, ensured a win for Essex Together. This vote followed a unanimous adoption of the plan by the Montclair Planning Board and a strong statement of support by Montclair Mayor Renee Baskerville. 

The Essex Together Affordable Housing Action Team, which comes together to pursue winnable Affordable Housing ends in Essex County, has been and continues to advocate for a key element in the plan: rezoning faith community land in Montclair so that faith communities can enable affordable housing projects on their property. The Montclair campaign, YIGBY (Yes in God’s Back Yard), is a proximate end, while the ultimate end is the rezoning of faith community land throughout New Jersey, allowing faith communities in every jurisdiction to develop affordable housing projects on their property. 

The Essex Together Team is engaged in key partnerships in Montclair that have enabled their success. Partnered with the NAACP Religious Affairs Committee of Montclair and in active relationship with the Montclair Interfaith Clergy Associates, and composed of leaders from six Montclair area congregations the team is well-resourced and supported. The three team leaders include Rev. Kay Dubuisson, Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, and Rev. Katrina Forman (who is currently on sabbatical).