Housing in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

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

ACR 49: Clarifies housing rights of State residents under State Constitution and prohibits laws requiring municipalities to provide housing opportunities through zoning and land use regulations.

ACR 49 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would clarify New Jersey's constitution by removing any requirement for municipalities to provide housing opportunities for all income levels through zoning or land use regulations. It specifically amends two constitutional sections to state that residents have no constitutional right to housing in every municipality and prohibits the state legislature from passing laws that force municipalities to create housing programs via zoning rules or fees. The amendment would also prevent state laws from overriding local zoning ordinances related to housing. This proposal directly affects municipalities by eliminating potential state mandates for housing development and aims to reverse obligations stemming from the Mount Laurel court cases. The amendment must be approved by voters in a future general election.

Topics ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

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

A 350: Extends protected tenancy period for certain tenants who are senior citizens and certain tenants with disabilities.

This bill extends New Jersey's protected tenancy law to provide senior citizens (62+ years) and disabled tenants with lifelong protection from eviction when landlords convert rental buildings to condos or cooperatives. It directly affects eligible tenants who meet income requirements and have lived in the property for at least one year, preventing forced moves due to ownership changes. The key change modifies the existing law to guarantee protected tenancy "for the full lifetime" of qualifying tenants, rather than a maximum 40-year period. This ensures these tenants can remain in their homes without rent hikes or lease changes solely because of a conversion, addressing concerns about displacement during economic hardship.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 1265: Revises definition of "landlord" to include rooming and boarding house owners and operators with regard to ordinances holding landlords to certain standards of responsibility.

This bill revises New Jersey's definition of "landlord" to explicitly include owners and operators of rooming and boarding houses under existing ordinances. It would allow municipalities to apply the same standards of responsibility - currently required for small rentals (under four units) and mobile home owners - to these properties. The change authorizes local governments to adopt or update ordinances ensuring rooming and boarding houses meet community safety and maintenance standards, without altering existing municipal rules. This is a technical adjustment to expand coverage, not a new requirement.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1304: Establishes centralized directory for affordable housing, and housing for senior citizens and veterans.

This bill requires New Jersey municipalities to submit quarterly reports to the Department of Community Affairs about affordable housing, senior citizen housing, and veteran housing units within their borders. The reports must include building addresses, management contacts, application status (including waitlists), and online application links. The state will compile this information into a public online directory on official housing websites (including the Department of Community Affairs, Housing Finance Agency, and Housing Resource Center) and mandate that municipalities link to these sites from their own websites. Municipalities will receive state reimbursement for costs related to gathering and submitting the data.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Veteran Housing

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

A 2684: Increases, from 18 percent to 30 percent, amount of rent constituting property taxes for purposes of gross income tax deduction for certain tenants.

This bill increases the portion of rent that counts toward property tax deductions for eligible renters in New Jersey, raising it from 18% to 30% for tenants with annual gross income of $150,000 or less. It directly affects low-to-moderate-income renters who occupy residential rental properties as their primary residence. The key change modifies the definition of "rent constituting property taxes" in the tax code, allowing a larger share of rent payments to reduce taxable income. This applies to all qualifying residential rental units, including those in mobile home parks, but maintains the 18% rate for renters earning over $150,000 annually.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Income Tax Property Tax Property Taxes Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 1779: Requires Homelessness Prevention Program agencies to remain open during public health emergency and provides for funding of each agency.

This bill requires Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) agencies - nonprofit organizations managing homelessness services in New Jersey - to remain open during public health emergencies. It mandates the Department of Community Affairs to fund one agency per "populous county" (county with 350,000+ residents) to manage homelessness prevention services in those areas. If federal pandemic funding is insufficient, the agency head may request state funds from the General Fund to cover gaps. The law directly affects agencies in populous counties and the residents they serve, ensuring continuous access to homelessness prevention during emergencies.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics State Budget Homelessness

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

A 3333: Provides reimbursement to emergency shelter following certain evictions.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to reimburse emergency shelter operators for costs incurred when evicting individuals who refuse to leave after their authorized stay period ends. It applies directly to operators of homeless emergency shelters established under existing law, covering expenses and lost revenue during the eviction process. Shelters must submit a specific form within 30 days of an eviction warrant being served, detailing costs and supporting documentation. The state must annually fund these reimbursements through General Fund appropriations. The bill clarifies that shelters may legally pursue eviction for non-compliance with stay duration rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics State Budget Homelessness Tenant Rights

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

A 3594: "New Jersey Housing Opportunity Act"; enhances opportunities for housing production.

This bill requires New Jersey municipalities to revise zoning rules within four months of enactment to increase housing options. It mandates that each town adopt one of three specific changes: allow single-family homes on lots as small as 0.25 acres, permit two-unit homes in single-family zones, or allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - small secondary homes with full living facilities on the same lot as a primary residence. Municipalities failing to comply will automatically adopt the 0.25-acre minimum lot size requirement. The rules do not apply to historic districts or properties with pre-existing development restrictions. This aims to expand housing choices in existing residential areas without altering historic protections or prior agreements.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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

ACR 108: Urges U.S. Secretary for Housing and Urban Development to prioritize transitional housing for homeless individuals and families, including survivors of domestic violence.

ACR 108 is a New Jersey concurrent resolution urging the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to prioritize transitional housing for homeless individuals and families, including survivors of domestic violence. It does not create new law but requests federal action to expand access to temporary housing (up to 24 months) with support services like counseling, job training, and financial aid. The resolution highlights that many domestic violence survivors face housing barriers and that current emergency shelters often limit stays to 90 days. It emphasizes that transitional housing provides critical stability, especially amid pandemic-related economic challenges. As a procedural resolution, it has no legal force but aims to influence federal housing policy priorities.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homelessness Property Development

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

A 461: Allows certain senior citizens to apply for rent increase limit.

This bill, the "Senior Citizen Tenant Protection Act," allows New Jersey residents aged 55 or older who have lived continuously in the same rental unit for 10 years and earn $80,000 or less annually to apply for protected status. Once approved, landlords cannot raise their rent by more than an annual index factor tied to regional inflation (based on the Consumer Price Index), preventing rent hikes that outpace fixed incomes like Social Security. Landlords may request a waiver for financial hardship, but must prove they cannot earn a reasonable return without it, and waivers do not override local rent control laws. The law aims to protect long-term senior tenants from displacement due to unaffordable rent increases.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights Tags Seniors

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