Housing (Affordable Housing) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 1803: Expands financing opportunities for low and moderate income housing.

S 1803 expands financing options for affordable housing projects in New Jersey by broadening the definition of "eligible loans" to cover a wider range of housing types, including multi-family units, boarding houses (with specific exclusions), continuing-care retirement communities, assisted living, and mobile homes. It explicitly allows loans to finance related services like parking, utilities, community facilities, and life safety improvements in boarding houses, certified by the Department of Community Affairs. This bill directly affects low and moderate-income housing sponsors (developers, nonprofits, or for-profit entities) seeking funding for projects that provide residential housing. The key change is streamlining access to financing for diverse affordable housing models through the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Mortgages

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2895: Requires additional surcharge on certain documents filed in certain county offices to support affordable housing in certain populous municipalities.

This bill (S 2895) requires counties containing cities of the first class (Newark and Jersey City, each with populations over 150,000) to impose a $3-$10 surcharge on real property documents filed in county offices. The surcharge funds are deposited quarterly into those cities' municipal affordable housing trust funds. The money must be used exclusively for rehabilitating or purchasing existing housing to create affordable units, or constructing new affordable housing. This provides a new revenue stream specifically for addressing housing affordability in these two largest New Jersey cities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Procurement Affordable Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1600: Establishing veterans' affordable housing preference; authorizing bonus fair share credit for veterans' affordable housing.

This bill (S 1600) requires New Jersey municipalities to give veterans with qualifying military service (including wartime or emergency duty) priority access to 50% of affordable housing units in new developments. It mandates that veterans applying within 90 days of initial marketing receive preference for these units, followed by a special waiting list for remaining vacancies. After the initial 120-day marketing period, veterans on the special list get priority when units become available, ensuring the 50% preference rate is maintained. The policy applies to both rental and ownership affordable housing units and does not affect municipalities' ability to claim credit for these units toward their housing obligations.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 451: Establishes "Forbidding the Algorithmic Inflation of Rent (FAIR) Act." *

This bill (S 451) prohibits landlords and property management software from using algorithmic systems to coordinate rental pricing and supply, which the legislature states has contributed to New Jersey's housing affordability crisis. It defines a "coordinator" as any service (including software) that collects pricing data from multiple landlords, analyzes it with algorithms, and recommends rental prices or lease terms - effectively enabling price-fixing. Landlords are banned from subscribing to such services, and coordinators are prohibited from facilitating agreements that restrict competition among rental property owners. The law directly affects landlords, property management companies, and software providers operating in New Jersey's rental market, aiming to increase price competition and reduce rent burdens for renters.

Topics ✓ Housing ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 220: Establishes standards for expiration of rental housing affordability controls.

S 220 establishes rules for when rental affordability controls expire on restricted housing units in New Jersey. It requires landlords to notify tenants 120 days before expiration and mandates income verification (based on 80% of regional median income) 90-180 days prior to determine if rent increases are permitted. If tenants remain at or below the income threshold after expiration, landlords cannot raise rents above affordability levels until the tenant moves out; if income exceeds the threshold, landlords may charge market rate at the next lease renewal or 60 days later. The bill also requires leases to prominently display expiration dates and potential rent changes. This bill applies directly to landlords of affordable housing units and their qualifying tenants.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1101: Establishes New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program under gross income tax for certain home purchases during qualified periods by first-time homebuyers.

This bill creates a New Jersey tax credit for first-time homebuyers purchasing eligible homes during specific periods. It provides a credit equal to 5% of the home price (up to $15,000) for homes used as a principal residence for 36 consecutive months. The program has a total funding cap of $100 million, allocated across four terms with separate limits for new homes and previously occupied homes. The credit is applied over three tax years, and applicants must pre-qualify through the state director's office before purchase.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Income Tax Procurement Tax Credits Affordable Housing Homeownership

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2889: "The Desegregate New Jersey Act"; promotes equitable residential development throughout State.

This bill, S 2889 ("The Desegregate New Jersey Act"), requires New Jersey municipalities to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - secondary living spaces on single-family lots - and mixed-use developments (combining residential and commercial spaces) in areas currently zoned only for single-family homes. It directly affects municipalities (by changing zoning rules) and homeowners (by allowing ADUs without triggering affordable housing quotas). Key provisions ban restrictions like mandatory passageways between units, parking fees for ADUs, or age requirements for occupants, and set a 65-day deadline for permit decisions. Municipalities failing to update zoning by June 2022 must follow these rules until compliance, removing barriers to denser, more diverse housing options.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Zoning

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 3103: Dedicates 50 percent of revenues collected from additional fees and taxes imposed on real property transfers valued over $1 million to Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

This bill directs 50% of revenue from fees and taxes on real property transfers exceeding $1 million (applied to sellers of residential, commercial, and certain other high-value properties) to the New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Instead of depositing these funds into the General Fund as current law requires, the bill mandates they support affordable housing programs. The change takes effect July 1 following enactment, with the Trust Fund managing these dedicated resources for housing initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics State Budget Affordable Housing Housing Finance

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1946: Allows municipalities to establish affordable housing preference for their residents.

S 1946 allows New Jersey municipalities to create programs giving priority for affordable housing units to low- and moderate-income veterans who served in wartime or emergencies (up to 50% of affordable units in a project). It amends state housing law to let municipalities use tools like rezoning, tax abatements, or public land to build affordable housing while requiring units to remain affordable for at least six years. The bill specifically adds a veteran preference mechanism into housing selection processes but does not require municipalities to raise taxes or spend public funds for this purpose. This directly affects municipalities developing housing projects and low-to-moderate-income veterans seeking housing in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1832: The "Vacant Property Revitalization and Affordable Housing Act"; establishes fund to revitalize certain real property and revises process for tax lien holder to foreclose the right of redemption; appropriates $50 million.

This bill creates a $50 million state fund to help municipalities revitalize vacant, abandoned, or foreclosed properties and convert them into affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents. It modifies foreclosure rules to allow certified mail notice instead of personal service for tax lien holders seeking to foreclose, speeding up the process while complying with due process requirements established by recent court rulings. The bill directly affects municipalities (which manage property revitalization), tax lien holders (like counties), and renters who benefit from new affordable housing. Key provisions include the dedicated funding for rehabilitation and revised procedures to reduce delays in repurposing properties, addressing New Jersey's shortage of over 200,000 affordable housing units.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Community Development Housing Finance

All housing bills