Jersey City—Jersey City Mayor-elect James Solomon has appointed Keshav Poddar, the executive director of his transition team, as Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development, effective immediately after his January 15, 2026 swearing-in. Poddar, a Yale Law School graduate and New Jersey native, brings over a decade of experience in affordable housing construction and community economic development.
His appointment signals Solomon's commitment to addressing the city's affordability crisis and creating pathways for working families to remain in Jersey City.
Key Facts
- Keshav Poddar, 30s, an attorney with expertise in affordable housing and community economic development, was selected as Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development
- Poddar previously served as an advisor on economic policy in the Biden-Harris Administration, including roles at the National Security Council and on Vice President Kamala Harris's staff
- As Deputy Mayor, Poddar will oversee housing policy coordination across city agencies, negotiate affordable housing deals, and attract businesses to underserved neighborhoods
Poddar's appointment comes after Mayor-elect Solomon defeated former Governor James E. McGreevey in a runoff election, securing his position as Jersey City's 50th mayor.
Solomon emphasized that Poddar's deep knowledge of development deals and commitment to working families made him the ideal candidate for the role.
As executive director of the transition team, Poddar already demonstrated his ability to organize Solomon's administration. His responsibilities now expand to directly implement the affordability agenda that Solomon championed throughout his campaign.
Poddar's background spans courtrooms, state government, and federal policymaking. Before his federal service, he served as counsel to former New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, where he worked on the state's COVID-19 response, criminal justice reform, and opioid enforcement.
The appointment of a Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development underscores Solomon's priority to tackle Jersey City's most pressing challenge: keeping rents affordable for residents who are, as Poddar himself noted, often
Poddar's role will include negotiating the construction of workforce housing and community benefits, attracting businesses to disadvantaged neighborhoods, and ensuring new developments include genuinely affordable rents that working families can actually afford.
This mirrors the approach used by former Deputy Mayor Marcos Vigil, though Poddar's appointment appears to have a broader mandate and longer-term commitment from the Solomon administration.
The broader implications of this appointment suggest that Jersey City may become a model for other municipalities seeking to balance economic development with housing affordability. With federal expertise and state-level understanding, Poddar is positioned to leverage funding opportunities and development strategies that protect longtime residents from displacement.
“When developers come to the table, we need someone who knows the deals inside and out and will make sure all of Jersey City benefits. Keshav is that person.”
The coming months will reveal how quickly Poddar can implement policies to increase affordable housing units while attracting economic investment. Solomon has signaled his intention to also appoint a Deputy Mayor of Education, though that announcement has not yet been made.
Do You Know?
Jersey City is home to over 260,000 residents and is New Jersey's second-largest city. The affordability crisis is not unique to Jersey City—it affects over 12 million renters nationwide, with median rents consuming more than 30% of household income in many U.S. cities.
Key Terms
- Affordable Housing: Rental or owned properties with monthly costs at or below 30% of a household's gross monthly income, often reserved for families earning between 50-80% of the area's median income.
- Economic Development Policy: Government strategies aimed at attracting businesses, creating jobs, and improving the economic health of a region or city through incentives, infrastructure investment, and workforce training.
- Community Benefits Agreements: Negotiated agreements between developers and local communities that ensure new projects contribute positively to the neighborhood through affordable units, jobs, local hiring, or public amenities.
- Workforce Housing: Affordable residential units specifically designated for workers in essential professions like healthcare, education, and public service who earn moderate incomes.
Photo by LinkedIn