Pascrell: Lifetime Public Service Award

PATERSON, NJ –

U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) this weekend accepted the 2021 Jerry Green Legacy Award from the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (HCDNNJ). Named for the legendary late New Jersey Assemblyman from Plainfield, the award recognizes Pascrell for his “life of public service bringing together diverse people to forge a better society.”

“This is special. I am humbled and I am honored by this recognition,” Rep. Pascrell said. “Jerry was my friend and my colleague. We served together in the assembly before I came to Washington. In Trenton and across New Jersey, Jerry was respected and revered. So, to accept the Jerry Green Legacy Award is beyond words.”

“The Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey is proud to present Congressman Bill Pascrell with our 2021 Jerry Green Legacy Award Winner. We don’t give this award out every year; it is reserved for people who make an extraordinary effort in this field,” said Staci Berger, HCDNNJ president and chief executive officer.  “We present this award to Congressman Pascrell for his tireless pursuit of policies that ensure housing security for the most vulnerable residents, for his leadership throughout the pandemic, and for his efforts to address the housing affordability crisis through his role as the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight.”

In accepting the award, Pascrell talked about housing challenges. “Today, a staggering eight million households face foreclosure or eviction. Only 52 percent of households earning below the median family income own a home. Since 2008, the U.S. has had a housing shortage with a drastic increase in home prices. The pandemic has cratered the supply of homes and wreaked havoc on renters. As Chairman of our Oversight Subcommittee, I have made housing reform a critical focus, through itemized deductions for mortgage interest and property taxes, expanding the low-income housing tax credit, and increasing resources for renters, public housing, and first-time home buyers. The Biden Build Back Better Act we are now writing will hopefully open the door for millions of Americans long locked out to finally access affordable housing. We are close.”

The Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey is the statewide association of more than 250 community development corporations, individuals and other organizations that support the creation of affordable homes, economic opportunities, and strong communities.For more information on the Network, visit www.hcdnnj.org.

A recording of Rep. Pascrell’s acceptance speech is available here.