Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 14, 2026

A 4480: Concerns accessibility in certain multistory buildings; provides for penalties.

This bill requires property owners of hotels and multi-unit buildings with two or more floors (excluding small owner-occupied homes) to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities during elevator outages. Specifically, owners must restore elevator service within two hours or provide alternative access (like evacuation chairs, ramps, or stairlifts) if elevators are out longer. Owners must also immediately notify residents of outages and estimated repair times. Violations carry daily penalties up to $2,500 for ongoing issues, with a grant program available to help cover costs for accessibility equipment.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires accessibility during elevator outages in multi-unit buildings, ensuring tenant safety and compliance with disability access standards, thus protecting tenant rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

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

A 1488: Makes total property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans retroactive to effective date of determination of total disability; requires State to reimburse municipalities for reimbursement of property taxes paid to veteran.

This bill extends property tax exemptions for veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities retroactively to the date they were officially declared disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It requires the state to reimburse municipalities for property taxes paid by eligible veterans during the retroactive period. The exemption applies to veterans’ primary residences and covers specific disabilities like paralysis, blindness, or amputations. It directly affects veterans who previously paid taxes they should have been exempt from under existing law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides retroactive property tax exemption for disabled veterans, reducing their tax burden and requiring state reimbursement to municipalities for covered taxes.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts veterans' primary residences from property taxes, reducing housing costs for disabled veterans.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExtends retroactive property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans, directly increasing financial benefits and reimbursing municipalities for past taxes paid.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2161: Makes supplemental appropriation of $615,000 to DHS for grant to NJ 2-1-1 Partnership.

This bill would provide $615,000 in additional state funding to the NJ 2-1-1 Partnership, a statewide service that connects residents to human services like food assistance, housing support, and mental health resources through a free 24/7 phone hotline. The funds would be allocated within the Department of Human Services' budget specifically for the Partnership's ongoing operational costs to maintain its 2-1-1 service. Since 2002, the NJ 2-1-1 Partnership has been the sole provider of New Jersey's 2-1-1 dialing code, serving all residents statewide. This is a routine budgetary measure to sustain an existing community resource, not a new policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides $615k supplemental appropriation to DHS for NJ 2-1-1 Partnership's operational costs, increasing state funding for public human services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds $615k for NJ 2-1-1 Partnership's mental health resources hotline, directly supporting access to mental health services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds NJ 2-1-1 Partnership's housing support services, connecting residents to housing resources via hotline.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Mental Health

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

A 3403: Limits increases to certain recurring fees charged to residential tenant.

This New Jersey bill (A 3403) limits how much landlords can increase certain recurring fees charged to residential tenants. It prohibits landlords from raising fees like pet, parking, or amenity charges by more than 10% within any 12-month period, with exceptions for initial fees in new tenancies. Tenants can seek remedies including lease termination, $1,000 penalties per violation per unit, and recovery of legal fees if landlords exceed the limit. The bill directly affects residential landlords and tenants in New Jersey and does not override existing rent control laws or eviction procedures. It is currently pending before the Assembly Housing Committee.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits landlord fee hikes (10% cap), protects tenants via penalties and remedies. Directly strengthens tenant rights in housing policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 2758: Prohibits BPU approval of electric and gas public utility rate increases resulting in total increase to average residential customer bill in excess of two percent annually.

This bill prohibits New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) from approving electric or gas utility rate increases that would cause an average residential customer's annual bill to rise more than 2%. It directly affects residential utility customers and the BPU, which must deny any proposed rate hike exceeding this 2% annual cap on the average customer bill. The key provision sets a strict limit on total annual rate increases, regardless of individual utility company proposals or cost factors. The law takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCaps annual utility rate increases to protect residential consumers from excessive cost hikes, aligning with consumer protection in energy policy.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCapping utility rate increases at 2% annually reduces housing cost burden for residential customers, directly supporting affordable housing affordability by preventing utility cost spikes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Utility Regulation

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 9, 2026

A 3586: Requires State to issue biennial report of unutilized State-owned property and potential for use as affordable housing.*

This bill (A3586) requires New Jersey's Division of Purchase and Property to create an annual report analyzing all state-owned real property for potential use as affordable housing. The report must inventory all state-owned land and buildings, including those held by agencies or authorities, and assess feasibility for low- and moderate-income housing development under existing law. The Division must submit this report to the Governor and Legislature within 13 months of the bill's effective date, then annually thereafter, and post it online. The bill directly affects state agencies managing property and requires them to systematically evaluate underutilized assets for housing opportunities.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates annual report to identify state-owned properties for affordable housing development, directly advancing low/moderate-income housing availability under existing law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development

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

A 3493: Reduces membership of State Real Estate Appraiser Board and prohibits discriminatory practices in property appraisals.

This bill reduces the State Real Estate Appraiser Board from 11 to 7 members and prohibits appraisers from discriminating based on race, color, or national origin when valuing property. It directly affects licensed real estate appraisers, appraisal management companies, and property owners or buyers who may face discriminatory appraisals. Key provisions require appraisers to avoid bias in valuations, mandate restitution and anti-bias training for first violations, and impose suspensions or license revocations for repeated violations. The Department of Law and Public Safety will investigate complaints and direct disciplinary actions through the Appraiser Board.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits discriminatory appraisals based on race/color/national origin, directly preventing housing discrimination per topic indicators.95% confidence

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

A 423: "Medical Debt Homestead Protection Act."

This bill, the "Medical Debt Homestead Protection Act," protects New Jersey residents from losing their primary home due to medical debt. It allows any person aged 18 or over living in New Jersey to exempt one home (a traditional house, condo/co-op, or manufactured home with land) from being seized or sold if a court judgment is issued for unpaid medical bills. The exemption applies only to medical debt judgments, not other debts, and limits each person to protecting just one residence. This change takes effect 90 days after the bill is signed into law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects residents from home loss due to medical debt, enhancing financial stability and access to healthcare services by preventing medical debt from triggering housing seizures.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill protects homeowners' primary residences from seizure due to medical debt, directly strengthening property rights (a core housing topic) and preventing housing instability.90% confidence

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passed · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 2127: Prohibits certain public utilities from charging residents of multi-unit dwellings meter-reading fees in certain circumstances.

This bill (A2127) prohibits electric and gas public utilities in New Jersey from charging residential tenants in multi-unit dwellings (like apartments) a meter-reading fee that exceeds the actual cost of their electricity or gas usage for a billing cycle. It specifically targets fees charged to customers who have opted out of smart meter installation and require manual meter readings. The law sets a clear cap: utilities cannot charge more for manual readings than the customer’s regular utility usage cost. This applies directly to renters in shared housing who choose manual metering, ensuring fees align with actual consumption rather than arbitrary charges.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill protects consumers by capping utility meter-reading fees at actual usage costs, reducing unnecessary charges for residents in multi-unit dwellings.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents excessive utility fees on tenants in multi-unit housing, strengthening tenant financial protections within housing policy.90% confidence

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3410: Establishes "Entry-Level Home Production Incentive Act of 2026"; provides project gap financing for low- to middle-income housing development; appropriates $300 million.

S 3410 establishes the "Entry-Level Home Development Fund" with a $300 million appropriation to provide gap financing for developers building low- to middle-income housing. The fund, administered by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, covers financing shortfalls that prevent developers from constructing housing affordable to households earning up to 120% of the area median income. This program directly supports developers of qualifying projects and aims to increase housing supply for low- to middle-income residents who face affordability challenges due to high prices and limited inventory. The bill defines "low- to middle-income housing" as units reserved for households meeting specific income thresholds, without mandating additional requirements for project locations or developer types.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $300M for affordable housing development, directly increasing state funding for housing programs under fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds $300M gap financing for low/middle-income housing, directly increasing affordable supply targeting 120% AMI households.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Affordable Housing Housing Finance Mortgages

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