This bill redirects 50% of existing revenue from two specific taxes on high-value real estate transactions to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. It applies to sellers of residential, commercial, farm, or cooperative properties sold for over $1 million, as well as certain commercial property transfers involving controlling interests exceeding $1 million. Currently, these revenues go to the General Fund; this bill mandates that half be instead deposited annually into the housing trust fund to support affordable housing programs. The change would take effect July 1 following enactment.
This bill creates a single online application portal for New Jersey residents to pre-apply for multiple affordable housing options (rental, for-sale, temporary, and priority housing) across the state. It consolidates 10 separate housing subsidy programs - including Section 8 vouchers, rental assistance, and homeless prevention programs - into one application that can determine final eligibility. The portal will let applicants select specific municipalities or regions and replace the current system where residents must submit duplicate applications for each program. This change aims to simplify the process for low-income residents seeking housing assistance.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to expand New Jersey's homestead property tax rebate program. It would allow honorably discharged veterans who served in wartime or emergencies, plus their unmarried surviving spouses (including spouses of veterans who died while on active duty), to receive the same larger rebate currently available to seniors (65+) and disabled residents. The change would extend eligibility to approximately 330,000 veterans and surviving spouses who currently qualify only for a $50 property tax deduction. The amendment requires voter approval before implementing this expanded rebate program.
This bill would generally prohibit "institutional investors" (large investment firms or entities controlling multiple properties) from purchasing or acquiring single-family homes in New Jersey, including townhomes. It defines "institutional investor" to exclude small investors owning four or fewer homes, nonprofits providing affordable housing, family trusts, and entities acquiring homes through foreclosure or eminent domain. The law applies to all single-family home purchases unless exempted under specific provisions, such as for nonprofits serving affordable housing or small-scale investors. It does not affect individual homebuyers or most standard real estate transactions.
This bill allows New Jersey municipalities to earn credits toward their state-mandated affordable housing requirement by transferring unspent development fees to the New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Specifically, if a municipality fails to spend collected fees within four years, it must transfer the remaining balance to the state fund and receives one credit per unit toward its housing obligation. The fees - collected from residential developers - must be used for approved affordability programs like down payment assistance, rent subsidies, or low-income unit affordability measures, with no more than 20% allocated to administration. It directly affects all New Jersey municipalities required to meet fair share housing goals under state law.
This bill creates the Blue Acres Buyout Fund within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), appropriating $25 million from the General Fund. The fund will provide relocation assistance to homeowners and tenants displaced by Blue Acres property acquisitions, cover the state's costs for purchasing flood-prone lands under the Blue Acres program, and pay for program administration (limited to 5% of annual funds). It directly affects residents in flood-prone areas who may be relocated due to these acquisitions. The fund operates as a nonlapsing, revolving account managed by the DEP.
This bill allows certain New Jersey municipalities - specifically those in urban enterprise zones (current or former) - to adopt a "land-based property tax system" where improvements (like buildings) are taxed at a lower rate than the land they sit on. Other municipalities may apply for approval to implement this system after seven years, but must meet standards preventing its use in areas primarily dedicated to open space, farmland, or environmental preservation. The system permits gradual phase-in of tax rate differences and allows municipalities to revert to a single tax rate if desired. The goal is to encourage redevelopment of vacant urban land by making property improvements more financially attractive to owners, potentially increasing housing and economic activity in targeted areas.
This bill creates a pilot program to help low-income tenants with poor credit histories avoid eviction for missed rent payments. It selects 1,000 randomly chosen households from New Jersey’s State Rental Assistance Program or Section 8 voucher program (after credit counseling) to participate. If a tenant misses rent, the program pays the landlord directly but requires the tenant to repay the amount within 90 days. The program tracks default rates by credit score and reports findings to the legislature, funded by $10 million in state appropriations.
This bill directs New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to create and implement a plan ending veteran homelessness within three years, following federal benchmarks. It affects all New Jersey veterans (defined broadly as anyone who served in the U.S. military, regardless of service length or discharge type). Key mechanisms include establishing a statewide list of at-risk veterans, coordinating with service providers to share data, prioritizing veterans for housing benefits, connecting veterans to health/employment resources, and using "Housing First" principles to rapidly secure permanent housing. The DCA must submit progress reports to the Governor and Legislature after the initial three years and every three years thereafter, with the plan updated regularly to maintain housing stability. The bill takes effect immediately.
This bill raises the income eligibility limit for New Jersey's homestead property tax reimbursement program. It increases the annual income threshold from $80,000 to $160,000 for tax year 2017 (and subsequent years), allowing more seniors (65+) and disabled residents to qualify. The program reimburses eligible homeowners and renters for property tax differences between their base year and current year, based on income and residency requirements. It directly affects low-to-moderate-income residents who own or rent qualifying homes as their primary residence.