Housing (Affordable Housing)

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1816: Requires Division of Purchase and Property to issue annual report on State-owned underutilized real property with potential for other uses.

S 1816 requires New Jersey's Division of Purchase and Property to create an annual report on state-owned properties that are underutilized (not fully used for their current purpose). The Division must inventory all such state-owned land - including property owned by agencies or authorities - and analyze its potential for redevelopment, including uses like affordable housing, homeless services, or health services for low/moderate-income residents. This report must be submitted to the Governor and Legislature within 13 months of the bill's effective date, then updated annually, with the report posted online. The bill directly affects the Division of Purchase and Property and state agencies managing property, but does not mandate specific actions - only requires the annual analysis and reporting.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates analysis of state property for affordable housing redevelopment potential, explicitly listing it as a key use case in the report requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Homelessness

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1824: "New Jersey Neighborhood Homes Investment Act"; establishes gross income tax credit for certain residential development.

This bill creates a tax credit for developers building or renovating affordable housing in New Jersey. It directly affects project sponsors (developers) who construct or substantially renovate qualifying homes sold at affordable prices to eligible homeowners earning 140% or less of the state's median household income. The credit equals the difference between reasonable development costs and the affordable sale price, capped at 35% of development costs or 80% of the state's median new home price. To qualify, projects must be in designated census tracts and certified by the New Jersey Housing Agency, with homes sold as primary residences.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for affordable housing developers, reducing state revenue to incentivize homes for low-to-moderate income residents (≤140% median income), aligning with tax relief and essential housing funding.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax credit for affordable housing development targeting 140% AMI, directly funding new affordable units through developer incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 433: Establishes limit on rent increase for senior citizen tenants of certain properties financed with assistance from HMFA.

This bill limits annual rent increases for senior tenants (62+ years old) living in rental housing funded by New Jersey's Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA). It caps rent hikes at the greater of 2% or the local cost-of-living adjustment (based on the Consumer Price Index), preventing increases that outpace fixed incomes. The law applies specifically to "covered dwelling units" (rental units in HMFA-funded properties rented to seniors as their primary residence) and exempts duplexes where landlords live in one unit and existing affordable housing agreements. Tenants can seek legal remedies if landlords violate the cap, including $500 for first offenses.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCaps rent increases for seniors in HMFA-funded housing to 2% or local CPI, protecting fixed-income tenants from unaffordable hikes per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights Tags Seniors

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 1821: Allows gross income tax credits to certain renters whose rent exceeds 35 percent of gross income.

This bill creates a refundable tax credit for New Jersey renters whose rent exceeds 35% of their gross income. It directly affects low-to-moderate income residents (earning under $60,000 annually) living in the state, with credit amounts based on income level and location: up to 100% of excess rent for those earning under $25,000 (or under $50,000 in high-cost areas), 75% for middle-income renters, and 50% for higher-income renters in non-high-cost areas. The credit, capped at $1,000 per year, is applied against state income tax and can be claimed retroactively for the previous tax year. Renters receiving federal or state housing subsidies instead receive a credit equal to 1/12 of their unsubsidized rent.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides refundable tax credits to low-income renters, reducing their tax burden and offering fiscal relief for vulnerable residents under budget & taxes policy.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides refundable tax credits to low-income renters paying >35% of income on rent, directly increasing housing affordability for vulnerable residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3025: Grants credit against business income taxes to developer of rental housing reserved for occupancy by veterans.

This bill creates a 10% tax credit against New Jersey business income taxes for developers who build or rehabilitate rental housing exclusively reserved for veterans. The credit covers 10% of "approved costs" (including land, construction, materials, and labor) for qualifying projects, with a maximum annual credit of $5 million statewide. Developers must reserve all units for veterans for at least 15 years and apply for state approval through the Department of Community Affairs. The policy directly affects developers of new or rehabilitated rental properties meeting specific veteran-occupancy requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 10% business tax credit for veteran housing developers, providing tax relief to incentivize affordable housing while directing state fiscal policy toward housing support.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingTax credit incentivizes veteran housing development, directly funding affordable rental units for a specific group. Aligns with housing support indicators.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates 10% tax credit for veteran-exclusive housing, directly funding housing benefits with 15-year residency requirement for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Affordable Housing Property Development Renters Veteran Employment Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SCR 51: Proposes constitutional amendment to require Statewide calculation of affordable housing obligation.

SCR 51 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how New Jersey municipalities determine their affordable housing requirements. Currently, these obligations are based on regional housing needs, but the amendment would require the Legislature to calculate a single statewide number representing the total affordable housing needed for the entire state. This statewide figure would become the exclusive requirement under the Constitution, replacing the current regional approach. The amendment must be approved by voters in the next general election after legislative passage.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProposes statewide affordable housing obligation calculation, replacing regional approach to increase total mandated housing, aligning with 'increases affordable housing' indicator.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1098: Authorizes COAH to credit municipalities with 1.5 units of fair share affordable housing obligation for each housing unit occupied by a veteran; permits municipalities to satisfy fair share affordable housing obligation through 35 percent set aside for veterans.

This bill amends New Jersey's affordable housing law to provide municipalities with additional flexibility in meeting their fair share housing obligations. Specifically, it allows municipalities to count each housing unit occupied by a veteran (with active wartime service) as 1.5 units toward their requirement, instead of the standard 1 unit. It also permits municipalities to satisfy up to 35% of their affordable housing obligation by setting aside units specifically for veterans. The bill directly affects New Jersey municipalities required to provide affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households under state law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill increases municipal flexibility to meet affordable housing obligations by counting veteran units as 1.5 units and allowing 35% set-aside for veterans, advancing housing compliance.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides housing incentives for veterans by counting each unit as 1.5 and allowing 35% set-aside, expanding access to affordable housing benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Veteran Housing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2746: Establishes four-year "Rent for Credit Pilot Program" in Department of Community Affairs.

S 2746 establishes a 4-year "Rent for Credit Pilot Program" in New Jersey, enabling low-income tenants in subsidized housing (renting units funded by state or federal aid) to build credit history through rent payment reporting. Participating landlords voluntarily report tenants' rent payments (including timely, late, or missed payments) to credit bureaus, with tenants paying a maximum $10 monthly fee for this service. Tenants may join or leave the program anytime but cannot rejoin for six months after opting out. The Department of Community Affairs will review the program after two years to assess participation, tenant demographics, credit impacts, and cost, then recommend whether to continue it.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables low-income tenants in subsidized housing to build credit via rent reporting, strengthening tenant financial inclusion and protection through voluntary landlord participation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1949: Requires COAH to administer affordable housing obligations of municipalities based on Statewide obligation.

This bill requires the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) to administer New Jersey municipalities' affordable housing requirements based on a single statewide goal, replacing the current system that allowed municipalities to transfer their obligations to other municipalities via regional contribution agreements. It repeals the use of these agreements, which had permitted some towns to avoid building local affordable housing by paying others to meet their fair share. The change aims to create a more consistent statewide approach to providing affordable housing for low and moderate income households, as mandated by New Jersey's Mount Laurel doctrine. The bill does not alter the requirement for municipalities to provide a fair share of affordable housing but centralizes administration under COAH.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRepeals municipal transfer agreements, requiring all towns to meet statewide affordable housing goals locally, increasing local housing obligations and addressing avoidance of fair share requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2025: Increases gross income tax relief based on rent constituting property taxes for residential tenants and establishes refundable gross income tax credit in place of gross income tax deduction for residential tenants.

This bill creates a refundable tax credit for New Jersey renters who use their rental unit as their primary residence. It replaces an existing tax deduction with a direct credit equal to 30% of rent paid for residential rental property (capped at $15,000 annually), effectively reducing the renter's tax bill dollar-for-dollar. The credit applies to tenants in standard rental units (not condos, co-ops, or manufactured homes in parks), targeting those whose rent includes property taxes. This policy directly benefits low-to-moderate income renters by providing immediate tax relief instead of a future deduction.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides refundable tax credit (30% rent, capped $15k) for renters, directly reducing tax burden. Targets middle-income residential tenants, aligning with tax relief indicators for Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates refundable tax credit for renters (30% of rent, capped at $15k), directly reducing tax burden and increasing housing affordability for residential tenants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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