MAYOR BARAKA’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Increasing Jobs

Convinced Employers to Hire a Specific Number of Newark Residents
The city’s major corporations, hospitals, colleges and universities are partnering with the City to give unemployed residents training and full-times jobs with living wages.

Won fight to Get Hundreds of Port Jobs for Newarkers
Two marches on the Port of Newark with hundreds of residents protesting hiring discrimination led to agreement that Newark residents will be hired at the Port.

Reduced Unemployment from 12% to 7%
Mayor Baraka’s job creating initiatives have gained employment for thousands of residents.

Doubledthe Number of Summer Youth Jobs
Mayor Baraka has made Newark’s summer program a unique mixture of education, workforce development and public safety,offering financial literacy, college and career readiness.

$15 Minimum Wage
Instituted a $15 minimum wage for City employees and is a leader in the
fight for a $15 minimum wage throughout New Jersey.

Making Us Safer

Lowest Level of Crime in 50 Years
More than 3000 fewer victims of crimes since 2014.  Homicides down 28% since 2016, Robberies down 26%. 517 guns taken off the streets including high powered weapons in 2016.

Added 500 New Police Officers since 2014
By improvingNewark’s finances, Mayor Baraka has hired additional poliuce and put them on the streets walking a beat.

Built CooperationBetween Residents and Police
Newark is now a national leader in building police/community trust.

Undocumented Immigrants Protected
Mayor Baraka made Newark a Sanctuary City.

Street Teams Reduce Violence and Protect Students
Street Team members are trained to defuse conflicts and steer young people toward education and employment..

Cutting Edge Law Enforcement Technology.
Our Police have body and car cams, patrol cars with computers and surveillance cameras accessible by residents.

Improving Education

Took Control of Our Schools Back from Governor Christie
Our Schools are now under the control of Neewark parents and residents.

Newark Street Academy Educates School Dropouts
The Newark Street Academy helps at-risk youth to complete their high school education and gain employment.

Centers of Hope in Every Ward
These centers give residents of all ages access to City services, wellness and enrichment. They offer athletic, arts and culture, education, technology, and recreation programs. 

Community Schools
The initiative involves parents, community leaders, teachers and administrators in providing students with the academic, social, emotional, and health services needed for success.

NAN Tech World Academy Teaches Technology Skills
This partnershjp offers courses in web design, graphic design, digital literacy, networking and more in a neighborhood setting for residents of all ages.

Creating Affordable Housing

Developers Required to Build Housing for Working Families
New housing must now include 20% affordable units and partner with minority and women Newark contractors. 

Affordable Housing Created for More than 2500 Families
Mayor Baraka is ensuring that residents of every neighborhood benefit from the surge in development. The City has programs to help families facing foreclosure to remain in their homes and provide low cost or no cost land and financial grants to help people develop homes for themselves.

Rent Controls Strengthened
Landlords looking to raise rents on rent-controlled buildings must now meet a stricter threshold.

Renters Helped to Become Homeowners
Several programs enable residents to aquire city-owned property at low cost.