Housing (Homelessness) in New Jersey

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 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 1686: Consolidates certain affordable housing and assistance applications.

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.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homelessness Tenant Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 3705: Directs DCA to end veteran homelessness within three years.

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.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Homelessness Veteran Employment Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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

A 1409: Extends affordable housing preference to certain allied South Korean veterans.

This bill amends New Jersey's affordable housing laws to include certain South Korean veterans who served as allies with U.S. forces during the Vietnam conflict. It defines "disabled veteran" and "veteran" to explicitly cover South Korean veterans who are New Jersey residents, served in Vietnam as U.S. allies, and have a service-connected disability recognized by South Korea's equivalent to the U.S. Veterans Administration. These veterans will now qualify for the same housing preference priority system as U.S. disabled veterans, placing them in the second priority tier (after homeless veterans). The change expands existing eligibility under current housing programs without creating new funding or altering income requirements.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homelessness Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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

A 3992: Establishes "Youth Homelessness Guaranteed Income Pilot Program Act."

This bill establishes a one-year pilot program in Hudson County to provide financial support to homeless youth aged 18-24. It authorizes a one-time $5,000 payment plus a $1,200 monthly cash stipend for nine months to 50 eligible participants, with stipends explicitly excluded from income calculations for public assistance programs. The program requires wraparound services like housing navigation, financial coaching, and mental health support to address housing instability. The Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development must evaluate the pilot and submit a report to the legislature within six months of its conclusion.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Mental Health Homelessness Property Development

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2094: Authorizes establishment of municipal homelessness trust funds and adoption of homeless housing plans by municipalities.

This bill would have allowed New Jersey municipalities to create dedicated "Municipal Homelessness Trust Funds" by adding a $5 fee to existing fines (like parking tickets). It required towns to adopt a homeless housing plan - developed with community groups - to address local homelessness through permanent housing solutions, rental assistance, and prevention programs. Funds would have been used exclusively for housing initiatives within four years, with unspent money transferred to the state for community-based organizations. The bill was withdrawn in January 2026 after similar provisions were enacted in P.L. 2025, c. 348.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homelessness Renters

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SCR 100: Urges U.S. Secretary for Housing and Urban Development to prioritize transitional housing for homeless individuals and families, including survivors of domestic violence.

This non-binding resolution urges the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary to prioritize transitional housing programs. It specifically targets homeless individuals and families, with special emphasis on survivors of domestic violence who face barriers to permanent housing. Transitional housing provides up to 24 months of safe shelter alongside support services like financial counseling, job training, and mental health resources. The resolution highlights that current emergency shelters often limit stays to 90 days and that over half of domestic violence victims needing housing assistance do not receive it.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Mental Health Homelessness Property Development Tenant Rights

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

A 1907: Allows property tax rebate for disabled veterans.

This bill would provide a property tax rebate to disabled veterans who own or rent their primary residence in New Jersey. It directly affects disabled veterans, including those experiencing financial hardship due to high property taxes and rental costs, as highlighted by the bill's findings (73% of NJ veterans have disabilities, with 518 homeless veterans in the state). The rebate is intended to help prevent homelessness and reduce financial burdens for this group. The bill defines key terms like "homestead" and "disabled veterans" but does not specify the rebate amount or exact eligibility calculations in the provided text. It is currently pending before the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Property Tax Homelessness Property Taxes Renters Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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

A 3838: Codifies Bringing Veterans Home Initiative.

This bill codifies New Jersey's "Bringing Veterans Home Initiative" into law, directly affecting unhoused or homeless veterans statewide. It requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to establish six regional housing hubs, create a standardized online referral form, use state data to target veteran homelessness needs, and connect veterans to existing housing benefits. The law mandates publishing the referral form online and classifying veterans for tailored assistance, building on a 2024 pilot program launched by the governor. The initiative aims to provide safe, stable housing for every homeless veteran in the state, with rules to be finalized by the agencies.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Homelessness Veteran Employment Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

All housing bills