Bloomfield Township, in Essex County, New Jersey, is approximately 11 miles west of Manhattan, New York, and is part of the New York-New Jersey metropolitan region. Although Bloomfield's population grew steadily during the first half of this century, it has dropped during the past two decades. In 1990 the township had a population of 45,061 on its 5.4 square miles of land.
Bloomfield developed a 5-year strategic plan to pinpoint and prioritize its objectives in addressing housing and community needs. For the first year of the plan, the township will use $2 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for 20 projects. Selected projects emphasize improvements to the township's infrastructure and service agencies.
In late 1994 the Department of Community Development and Inspections, lead agency for development of the Consolidated Plan, invited 37 officials, nonprofit agencies, minority church organizations, low-income neighborhood coalitions, and other citizens to participate in developing the plan. The initial public hearing was held February 14, 1995. Agencies delivering health, welfare, housing, and community development services in the township were consulted through meetings and discussions. A summary of the draft plan was published and sent to adjacent local governments. The full plan was made available during a 30-day public comment period before its adoption and submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in May.
Bloomfield developed early in this century, reaching a population of 49,313 by 1950, and a peak population of 52,029 in 1970. Since then its population has decreased to 45,061 in 1990. The New Jersey Department of Transportation projects an increase to 47,915 by the year 2010.
The composition of the population has also changed. Numbers and proportions of the youngest (under 5), oldest (over 65), and baby boomers (between 25 and 45) increased. However, persons ages 5 to 24 and 45 to 64 decreased. By 1990 almost 18 percent of the population was over 65 years old.
The racial and ethnic mix of the population has also changed. The percentage of non-Hispanic whites decreased from 93 percent in 1980 to 86 percent in 1990. By 1990 the Hispanic population grew to 5 percent of the population, followed by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (almost 5 percent) and African Americans (4 percent). Three census tracts have minority concentrations more than 4 percent above the average in the township. While 42 to 50 percent of white, African-American, and Hispanic households had low or moderate incomes, only 23 percent of the Asian-American and Pacific Islander households had low or moderate incomes.
There were fewer and smaller households in Bloomfield in 1990 as compared with 1980. In 1990 the 18,478 households averaged 2.42 persons. The median income of these households was $39,822. Family households had a median income of $50,419.
The Consolidated Plan defines low- and moderate-income households in relation to the HUD-adjusted median family income (MFI) for the area, which is $63,200. The population breakdown according to these income levels is:
In 1990 there were 1,429 persons in Bloomfield's labor force who were unemployed, an unemployment rate of 5.6 percent.
Almost half of all housing units (48 percent) in Bloomfield were built before 1940, and 83 percent were built before 1960. Only 7 percent of Bloomfield's housing units were constructed after 1970.
Despite population decreases, Bloomfield's housing stock increased by 1.5 percent to 19,293 between 1980 and 1990. Slightly over half of the housing units are owner occupied, while 42 percent are renter occupied.
In 1990 the average value of owner-occupied units in Bloomfield was $171,400. Only 524 units (7 percent) were valued at less than $100,000, and 1,473 (20 percent) were valued at $100,000 to $149,999.
Median monthly gross rent was $702, and contract rent was $681. Only 7 percent of rental units carried gross rents under $300, and 23 percent had gross rents of $300 to $499.
The condition of the housing stock is generally good. The township estimates that there are 12 boarded-up units within the municipality, and approximately 97 renter-occupied units and 126 owner-occupied units in substandard condition.
Three-fourths of extremely low-income households have some housing problem, with 61 percent spending more than 50 percent of their gross income on housing expenses. Renters of all types are more likely than owners to have housing problems, including extreme cost burden.
Sixty-five percent of very low-income households also face housing problems. However, although they are also cost burdened, very low-income households are much less likely to spend more than 50 percent of their income on housing. At this very low-income level, there is a greater proportion of renters than owners that have housing problems.
At the low-income level, one-third of all households have some cost burden, but only 6 percent spend more than 50 percent of their income on housing. Furthermore, all large renter households at this income level are cost burdened, and half of the renter households have some housing problem.
Among moderate-income households, half of non-elderly owners and almost two-thirds of large family renters have housing problems.
In Bloomfield renters who become homeless are assisted by the Department of Community Development and Inspections. In all other cases, the homeless are referred to the Welfare Department. Individuals over 18 years of age are provided with temporary housing in available rooms, temporary shelters, and rooming houses. Food checks are provided by the township, and food stamps are provided through referral to the County General and Emergency Assistance Grant funds. Families with children under 18 years of age are referred to the Essex County Department of Human Services.
Each year approximately 25 to 50 individuals and 5 to 10 families are assisted by Bloomfield homeless services. These procedures seem to function well. The township maintains an extensive description of facilities and services for the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless. A continuum of services is available.
Bloomfield has no public housing units within its jurisdiction. The Bloomfield Department of Inspections and Community Development operates as a public housing agency and administers Section 8 certificates and vouchers to assist needy families. There are 181 households that participate in the certificate program and 40 in the voucher program, including 64 elderly households. Currently 265 applicants are on the waiting list for Section 8 rental assistance. The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs also administers Section 8 certificates and vouchers to 20 Bloomfield families.
Insufficient Federal and State resources present the major barrier to developing and maintaining affordable housing. In addition, the following programs and regulations affect local land and housing costs:
Affordable housing is critical for special needs populations because of employment limitations and additional costs. Many need supportive services to function outside an institutional setting.
About 1,520 persons in Bloomfield's elderly population have mobility or self-care limitations. Approximately 415 non-elderly developmentally disabled persons in the township have mobility or self-care limitations. Another 162 persons have physical disabilities. Because the township does not have any mental health institutions, the number of persons with severe mental illness cannot be determined. Bloomfield estimates that 1,127 persons have alcohol or other drug addiction problems. In 1994 the township Welfare Department assisted 24 persons with HIV/AIDS or related diseases.
Because of Bloomfield's large percentage of older housing, its potential lead-based paint hazard is more severe than in many newer suburban municipalities. An estimated 4,844 housing units affordable to low-income households have potential lead-based paint hazards. During the past year, the Bloomfield Township Health Department reported 7 confirmed lead poisoning cases and 14 households where lead paint had to be remediated. During the coming year, the township plans to spend $49,000 in CDBG funds for the reduction of lead-based paint hazards.
Among public facility needs, Bloomfield rates senior centers and parks and recreation facilities as high priorities. High-priority infrastructure needs include flood drain, water, and street improvements. Public service needs that rate as high priorities include senior, disabled, youth, transportation, child care, and substance abuse services; crime awareness; and employment training.
Bloomfield's 5-year strategic plan for 1995 to 1999 includes the following housing priorities and goals:
Bloomfield rates the following nonhousing community development needs as high priorities:
In 1990, 2,549 persons, or 3.4 percent, of Bloomfield's population had incomes below the poverty level, and 679 (3.7 percent) households received public assistance. Of 1,812 persons receiving public assistance income, 24 percent were 65 and over. The township uses the antipoverty resources of Essex County, which has four programs aimed at reducing poverty:
The Department of Community Development and Inspections is the lead agency for carrying out the strategic plan. To improve delivery of housing services, Bloomfield will improve the coordination between that department and the Bloomfield Planning Board and Board of Adjustment and with agencies at all levels of government.
For the program year 1995-1996, Bloomfield plans to use more than $2 million in CDBG funds, including program income, for 18 projects. Emphasis will be on infrastructure improvements and public services, including:
MAP 2 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.
MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority concentration levels.
MAP 4 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and unemployment levels.
MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.
MAP 6 is a map, sectioned by neighborhood, which depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.
MAP 7 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within one of the four neighborhoods indicated in MAP 6.
MAP 8 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within another of the four neighborhoods indicated in MAP 6.
MAP 9 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded project(s).
