Housing in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4167: Requires municipal participation in sheltering homeless individuals.

This bill requires every municipality in New Jersey to either operate its own emergency shelter for homeless individuals or partner with a private nonprofit to do so. Alternatively, a municipality can choose to pay a fee to the county, calculated at $5 per resident based on the latest census data, which the county will then distribute to local shelters based on how many people each shelter serves. To help cover these costs, municipalities are allowed to use existing funds from certificate of occupancy fees. Additionally, all shelters established under this law must use a state system to provide real-time updates on available bed space.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homelessness

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 28, 2026

A 5147: Expands conditions for areas in need of redevelopment to include sites designated by municipality for affordable housing under certain circumstances.

This bill allows New Jersey municipalities to designate specific sites as areas in need of redevelopment if those sites are officially planned for affordable housing in the town's housing element and fair share plan. To qualify, the site must be designated for inclusionary development that includes both market-rate and affordable housing, or exclusively affordable housing, and the plan must have been approved by a court to meet the municipality's legal housing obligations. The change expands the existing redevelopment law to enable these housing-focused areas to access redevelopment powers, such as tax exemptions and abatements, under the same conditions as other blighted or underutilized zones. Local governments would use this provision to address housing shortages by legally classifying planned affordable housing projects as redevelopment areas.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Property Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4244: Requires multiple dwelling building owners to provide notice to tenants and tenant associations of certain sales and provides tenant association with opportunity to purchase multiple dwelling.

This New Jersey bill requires owners of multiple dwelling buildings to notify tenants and tenant associations before selling the property. It specifically mandates notice for sales to affiliates, short sales, or deeds in lieu of foreclosure, ensuring residents are informed of these transactions. If at least 51% of the occupied units are represented by a tenant association, the group gains the right of first refusal to purchase the building. The law also defines how tenant associations can form successor entities, such as cooperatives or joint ventures, to facilitate the acquisition and maintain affordable housing standards.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Mortgages Tenant Rights

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 5190: Requires benefits under certain State property tax relief programs to be provided as credits and requires tabulation of credits and deductions be included on property tax bills.

This bill requires New Jersey to issue property tax relief benefits as credits on tax bills rather than through direct cash payments. It directly affects residents eligible for state programs like ANCHOR, Stay NJ, and the homestead property tax reimbursement. The law mandates that these credits be clearly itemized on property tax statements and ensures that cooperative housing entities pass the credit amounts directly to residents. Additionally, the bill sets specific timelines for when these credits must be applied to tax bills based on when applications are received.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4933: Requires Director of Division of Housing and Community Resources in DCA to establish program to reimburse municipality which provides services to nonresident homeless persons; requires participation in Homeless Management Information System; appropriates $10 million.

This New Jersey bill requires the state's Division of Housing and Community Resources to create a reimbursement program for local shelters that serve homeless individuals from other municipalities. Under the plan, a municipality would share the costs of providing services like food, shelter, and transportation to nonresident homeless people, with the state providing $10 million in funding to support the initiative. To qualify for reimbursement, shelters must submit applications verifying that the individuals served do not live in the municipality where the shelter is located, and the program excludes cases where people voluntarily moved for work or family reasons. The legislation also mandates that all participating shelters use the Homeless Management Information System to track occupancy and service data in real time.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homelessness

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4215: Limits resale of certain real property formerly owned by public body in certain circumstances; bans deed restrictions limiting use of commercial real property in certain circumstances.

This bill requires that private buyers of real property formerly owned by a public body in New Jersey agree to pay prevailing wages for construction and maintenance work for a period of 10 years after purchase. If a buyer fails to include this wage agreement in a formal contract, the property cannot be resold during that decade. Additionally, the legislation declares void any deed restrictions that prevent commercial real estate from being used for the same business purpose as the original owner utilized it. These changes aim to ensure fair labor compensation on public assets and remove barriers to the commercial use of such properties.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4936: Establishes Whole-Home Repairs Program in HMFA; appropriates $25 million.

This bill creates a new Whole-Home Repairs Program within the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to provide financial assistance for home improvements. The program targets low-income homeowners and landlords with fewer than ten properties who need repairs for safety, accessibility, or energy efficiency. Eligible homeowners may receive grants, while eligible landlords can access loans that become forgivable if they agree to limit rent increases for at least two years. The legislation also mandates that construction workers be paid prevailing wages and gives priority to seniors, people with disabilities, and those facing immediate health risks. A total of $25 million is appropriated to fund these grants and loans.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Housing Finance Mortgages Renters

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4928: Establishes offense of harassment of residential tenant; expands liability of certain members of limited liability company that own residential rental properties.

This bill creates a new criminal offense for landlords who harass residential tenants with the intent to force them out of their homes. It defines harassment to include actions such as cutting off essential services, threatening violence, repeatedly entering the property, or filing frivolous eviction cases. The law also expands liability for members of limited liability companies that own rental properties, holding them personally accountable for these actions. Penalties range from disorderly persons offenses to fourth- or third-degree crimes depending on the severity and frequency of the behavior, while also allowing victims to seek civil penalties and damages. Additionally, the bill provides a mechanism for prosecutors to delay charges if the landlord agrees to fix the problematic behavior within ten days.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4372: "Affordable Housing Insurance Stabilization Act"; establishes program within HMFA to provide financial assistance to qualified affordable housing property experiencing material insurance cost increases; appropriates $25 million.

This bill creates a program within the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to help affordable housing properties facing significant insurance rate hikes. To qualify for financial aid, a property must experience a cumulative insurance cost increase of at least 40% within 24 months and demonstrate that it has exhausted its own savings. The $25 million fund established by the bill will provide grants of up to $250 per unit annually, with a maximum of $1 million per project, to cover these increased costs. Recipients of the funds must agree to keep the buildings safe and compliant, maintain affordability restrictions, and submit annual reports on how the money was used. The program prioritizes housing for very low-income families, those with disabilities, and properties facing financial distress or expiring affordability rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Mortgages

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4950: Establishes State grant program fund to incentivize municipalities to create senior snow removal programs; appropriates $2 million.

This bill creates a $2 million grant program to help New Jersey municipalities establish snow removal services for seniors. Under the plan, local governments can apply for up to $100,000 to clear snow and ice from the driveways, entrance paths, and sidewalks of homes occupied by residents aged 62 or older with incomes below 65% of the area median. The funding is restricted to single-family homes and does not cover seniors living in rental units or communities where the landlord or association already provides equivalent snow removal services. The Department of Community Affairs will manage the fund and create necessary rules to oversee the distribution of these grants.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords

All housing bills