Housing in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 736: Specifies that notice requirements concerning certain changes to zoning ordinances are not applicable to addition of new use within zoning district.

This bill modifies New Jersey's zoning law to exempt certain amendments from standard public notice requirements. Specifically, when a municipality amends its zoning ordinance solely to add a new type of use (such as a new business or building category) within an existing zoning district, the usual 10-day notice to property owners within 200 feet and other entities no longer applies. The change streamlines the process for local governments to update zoning for new uses without administrative steps like mailed notices or public hearings. It directly affects municipalities and developers seeking to add uses (e.g., a coffee shop in a commercial zone) without triggering full notice obligations. This does not apply to other zoning changes, such as boundary adjustments or classification shifts.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Zoning

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2656: Increases, from 18 percent to 30 percent, amount of rental payments defined as rent constituting property taxes for purposes of deduction from gross income for property tax payments.

This New Jersey bill (A2656) increases the percentage of rental payments that count toward property tax deductions for tenants from 18% to 30%. It directly affects renters living in qualifying residential rental properties used as their principal residence. The key change modifies how "rent constituting property taxes" is calculated, allowing tenants to deduct a larger portion of their rent from gross income. This adjustment lowers taxable income for eligible renters but does not change the $15,000 deduction cap. The bill amends the Property Tax Deduction Act (N.J.S.A. 54A:3A-15 et seq.) and applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2020.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3247: Establishes plan for provision of coverage to homeowners who are otherwise unable to procure homeowners insurance.

This bill requires New Jersey's insurance commissioner to establish a mandatory plan providing homeowners insurance to residents who cannot obtain coverage through regular channels, with special focus on properties at risk of flooding. All licensed insurers in the state must participate under a fair rating system that ensures rates cover plan costs without external subsidies. The plan must include a system for insurers to transfer applicants to other providers and requires annual financial reports to the legislature on rate adequacy and plan stability. It directly affects homeowners in high-risk flood areas who face coverage gaps in the private insurance market.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1915: Makes supplemental appropriation of $10 million to New Jersey Community Development Corporation for various community projects in City of Paterson.

This bill provides an extra $10 million in state funding for community projects in Paterson through the New Jersey Community Development Corporation. The funds are specifically allocated to three projects: $4 million for the Great Falls Youth Center at 52 Front Street, $3 million for a STEM/AI Innovation Hub at 59 Spruce Street, and $3 million for affordable housing with retail space at 98 Spruce Street. The funding is supplemental to existing appropriations and targets physical improvements and services in Paterson. The bill directs the corporation to use these funds immediately for these designated projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Appropriations Affordable Housing Community Development Property Development Artificial Intelligence

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

ACR 119: Urges U.S. President and Congress to enact legislation comparable to "Eviction Crisis Act of 2019" and "Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act of 2019."

This concurrent resolution (ACR 119) urges the U.S. President and Congress to enact federal legislation similar to two 2019 bills: the "Eviction Crisis Act" and the "Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act." It directly addresses the housing crisis affecting low-income families, citing that 3 in 4 low-income households in need of housing aid are denied help, 6 million families lack stable housing, and over 150,000 New Jersey families faced eviction in 2018. The resolution requests Congress to pass comparable measures - such as improving eviction data, reducing preventable evictions, and creating 500,000 new housing vouchers - to help families spend less than half their income on housing. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new programs but formally advocates for federal action based on these specific legislative models.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1868: "New Jersey Transit Villages Act."

This bill establishes the "New Jersey Transit Villages Act," which encourages municipalities to create designated "transit villages" centered around mass transit hubs. It requires local governments to amend their master plans to include specific provisions for compact, mixed-use development within half-mile zones of transit stops, featuring higher density housing, reduced parking for cars, improved bike/pedestrian access, and shared parking. The policy directly affects New Jersey municipalities by changing land-use planning requirements to prioritize transit-oriented development. Key mechanisms include mandating transit village plan elements as supplements to master plans and requiring updated official maps to reflect these zones. The goal is to increase transit ridership, reduce traffic congestion, and support smart growth principles outlined in state planning guidelines.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning Pedestrian Safety Public Transit

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1522: Reduces parking spaces required in Statewide site improvement standards at residential developments relative to development's proximity to public transportation.

New Jersey's A-1522 reduces mandatory parking requirements for new residential developments based on their distance to public transportation. The bill requires a 20% reduction in parking spaces for developments within 0.5-1 mile of transit, 30% for 0.25-0.5 miles, and 50% within 0.25 miles of rail stations, bus routes (with five or more regular routes), or bus stops (with 15+ stops). This directly affects residential developers building near qualifying transit infrastructure across the state. The policy aims to encourage transit-oriented development by lowering construction costs for projects close to public transportation. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning Public Transit Rail

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 925: "Closing the Segregated Housing Loophole Act"; prohibits segregation in affordable housing inclusionary developments.

This bill prohibits segregation in new inclusionary housing developments that mix market-rate and affordable units. It bans developers from creating separate entrances, amenities, or features that segregate residents based on income status or protected characteristics like race or religion. Municipalities cannot approve such segregated developments, and units in violating projects won’t count toward a municipality’s affordable housing quota. The bill establishes a complaint process for residents to report violations to the Department of Community Affairs, which can order corrections and impose penalties on noncompliant municipalities. It is pending before the New Jersey Assembly Housing Committee.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 23, 2026

A 2408: Amends Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations act to reassign appropriation for City of Camden for Capital Projects to Parkside Business & Community in Partnership.

This bill reassigns $500,000 in state funds from the City of Camden's Capital Projects budget to Parkside Business & Community in Partnership, a local nonprofit organization. The funds, originally designated for Camden city capital projects, will now support the nonprofit's neighborhood revitalization work in Camden's Parkside area, focusing on commercial development and housing. The change modifies the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations act to shift the funding source while maintaining the same total appropriation amount. This is a procedural reallocation of existing funds, not a new policy or funding increase.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 945: Establishes "Enhanced Transit Village Program" to be administered by Office of Planning Advocacy in Department of State and DOT.

This bill creates New Jersey's "Enhanced Transit Village Program" to encourage higher-density, mixed-use development near public transit hubs. It directly affects municipalities already designated as "transit villages" (those with existing transit infrastructure), requiring them to update zoning to meet specific density standards: at least 50 residential units per acre within 1/4 mile of transit, and 25 units per acre beyond that radius. The program provides technical assistance and financial support for municipalities to improve walkability, bike infrastructure, housing variety, and transit connections, while coordinating between the Office of Planning Advocacy (for land use) and the Department of Transportation (for infrastructure). The Office of Planning Advocacy will administer the program, including reviewing applications and approving village plans, with implementation pending legislative approval. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning Pedestrian Safety Public Transit

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