Housing in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

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

A 877: Expressly permits housing constructed prior to April 1, 1980 to be counted toward municipal affordable housing obligation.

This bill allows New Jersey municipalities to count housing built before April 1, 1980, toward their state-mandated affordable housing requirements. To qualify for past obligations, the housing must have been reserved for low- or moderate-income residents for at least 20 consecutive years after 1975 and not previously counted. For future or current obligations, the housing must either be reserved for such residents under current rules or fully rehabilitated to meet state standards. This change helps municipalities meet housing goals by utilizing existing affordable units without requiring new construction.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation

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

A 1303: Prohibits landlord from considering certain actions in tenant screening; clarifies that rent receivership action does not require rent deposit and may be based on implied warranty of habitability.

This bill (A 1303) strengthens tenant protections in New Jersey by restricting how landlords screen applicants and clarifying court procedures for habitability issues. Landlords cannot consider most past housing court cases when evaluating tenants (only recent judgments for eviction under specific conditions), must provide written reasons for denials including screening details, and face fines of $1,000+ for violations. It also clarifies that tenants or officials can seek court orders to fix unsafe living conditions (like lack of heat or plumbing) without requiring upfront rent deposits, and that such cases may be based on the basic right to habitable housing. The bill directly affects residential landlords and tenants in New Jersey, particularly those involved in housing court or habitability complaints.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 3279: Creates Statewide right to counsel program in certain eviction proceedings, and appropriates $20,000,000.

This bill establishes a statewide program providing free legal counsel to income-eligible tenants facing eviction in New Jersey. It directly affects tenants with household incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, or those receiving specific public benefits like SNAP or housing vouchers. The program, funded by a $20 million appropriation from the General Fund, requires designated legal organizations to provide representation starting at the tenant's first court appearance in eviction cases. Courts must also provide plain-language notices about this right to tenants in covered proceedings.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Tenant Rights

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

ACR 79: Condemns federal rule proposal that would force families of mixed immigration status who reside in certain affordable housing to either separate or face eviction.

New Jersey's ACR 79 is a resolution condemning a federal HUD rule proposal (84 F.R. 20589) that would force families with mixed immigration status - where some members are ineligible for housing assistance due to immigration status - out of federally-subsidized housing. The proposed rule would require immigration status screenings for residents under 62 and mandate eviction within 18 months for families with "ineligible" members, potentially affecting over 55,000 U.S. citizen children. It would also increase costs for housing authorities by requiring full subsidies instead of prorated shares for mixed-status families, potentially reducing housing quality and availability. The resolution urges federal leaders to invest in affordable housing access for all families regardless of immigration status, rather than implementing this rule.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Tenant Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3255: Establishes process to exempt municipality from certain fair share affordable housing obligations based on flood risk.

This bill (S 3255) would allow New Jersey municipalities to be exempt from affordable housing obligations if designated as "extensively flood-prone" by the Commissioner of Community Affairs. It creates a process where municipalities meeting specific flood-risk criteria - based on flood insurance payments, repetitive loss properties, and other data - would no longer need to fulfill fair share housing requirements. The exemption covers all current, future, and past unfulfilled obligations under the Fair Housing Act (P.L.1985, c.222). The commissioner must adopt rules within three months of the bill's enactment to determine eligibility. This change directly affects municipalities facing significant flood risks, relieving them from housing construction mandates tied to flood vulnerability.

Topics ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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

A 902: Directs DCA to establish online database of affordable housing settlement agreements and other declaratory judgment actions.

Bill A 902 requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to create a public online database tracking all affordable housing settlement agreements (declaratory judgment actions) entered by municipalities since 2015 to comply with the state's Fair Housing Act. The database will include specific details for each municipality: the number of affordable units they're obligated to provide (broken down by type), the ratio of rental to ownership units, the mix of affordable versus market-rate units, and payments made to housing advocates like the Fair Share Housing Center. Municipalities, courts, and other parties involved must provide this information upon request. The goal is to increase transparency about how local governments meet their affordable housing requirements.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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

A 2315: Requires Office of Homelessness Prevention to contract with county agencies or nonprofits to issue certain identification and birth certificates to individuals experiencing homelessness; appropriates $2 million.

This bill requires New Jersey's Office of Homelessness Prevention to partner with county agencies or nonprofits in every county to help homeless individuals obtain essential identification and birth certificates. It directly affects people experiencing homelessness by removing barriers to accessing these critical documents needed for housing, employment, and services. The key mechanism involves the Office contracting with local organizations to issue ID and coordinate birth certificate access, with $2 million in state funding allocated based on each county's homeless population. The funds are intended to cover the costs of these services through the contracted entities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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

A 483: Requires defibrillators in certain multiple dwellings; establishes Affordable Housing Defibrillator Fund.

This bill (A 483) requires landlords of multiple dwellings with 30+ units in urban municipalities (population 50,000+) to install and maintain accessible automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in unlocked locations with clear signage. It directly affects landlords in qualifying urban apartment buildings, with the Affordable Housing Defibrillator Fund providing grants to owners of affordable housing developments to cover AED costs. Key provisions include mandatory AED testing/maintenance, tenant notification of locations, and legal protection for users from civil liability. The bill would take effect 7 months after enactment, increasing emergency medical access in high-density residential areas.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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

A 772: Requires HMFA to establish "Sustainable Tiny Home Pilot Program" in three regions of State; appropriates $5 million.

This bill proposes a 3-year pilot program through New Jersey's Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) to develop sustainable tiny homes under 300 square feet in three regions of the state (northern, central, and southern). It appropriates $5 million total ($1.65 million annually) to fund grants for builders constructing these homes, requiring compliance with green building standards and reporting on recycled construction waste. Participating municipalities must temporarily relax zoning rules to allow tiny home developments, with the goal of reducing carbon emissions (tiny homes produce ~93% less CO2 than standard homes) and construction waste. The program targets builders, eligible municipalities, and future residents of these affordable, eco-friendly housing units.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Climate Change Housing Finance Mortgages Zoning

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

A 611: "Immigrant Tenant Protection Act."

This New Jersey bill, the "Immigrant Tenant Protection Act," prohibits landlords from threatening to disclose or disclosing tenants' immigration status to force them to leave, or using that status as a reason to evict. It directly protects residential tenants, especially immigrant and undocumented residents, by banning such discriminatory practices in housing. Key provisions include allowing tenants to sue landlords for violations (with damages up to $2,000 per incident), preventing courts from questioning immigration status in housing cases unless directly relevant to a tenant’s claim, and making it harder for landlords to use immigration status as an eviction reason. The law amends existing tenant protection laws to explicitly shield tenants from housing discrimination based on immigration status.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights Driver Licenses & IDs Sanctuary Policies

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