Housing (Community Development) in New Jersey

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 · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4914: Expands Brownfields Redevelopment Incentive Program to provide tax credits to developers of residential redevelopment projects undertaken on remediated brownfield sites.

This bill expands New Jersey's Brownfields Redevelopment Incentive Program to offer tax credits specifically for developers creating residential projects on cleaned-up brownfield sites. The legislation amends existing state laws to formally define key terms such as 'affordable housing' and 'developer,' ensuring clarity for those seeking financial incentives. By clarifying these definitions and extending the program's scope, the bill aims to encourage the reuse of contaminated land for housing development.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials Affordable Housing Community Development Property Development

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 4697: Makes FY2026 supplemental appropriation of $30 million to DCA for Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit program.

This bill allocates an additional $30 million from New Jersey's General Fund to the Department of Community Affairs for the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit program in fiscal year 2026. The funding will support nonprofit organizations that implement approved plans to improve low and moderate income neighborhoods through local development projects. The program operates by allowing businesses to receive tax credits when they invest in these qualifying revitalization initiatives, with the bill providing the state funding needed to sustain this mechanism.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Tax Credits Community Development Property Development

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 23, 2026

A 4797: Requires Department of Banking and Insurance to examine and rate lending institutions with regards to lending, investments, and services provided to low- and moderate-income consumers.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Banking and Insurance to evaluate and rate financial institutions based on how well they serve low- and moderate-income consumers through lending, investments, and services. The law mandates that banks and credit unions develop community benefits plans with measurable goals for providing financial products to underserved areas and defines specific activities that count as community development, such as affordable housing, small business financing, and climate resilience projects. Financial institutions must demonstrate they meet the needs of the communities where they operate, and the Department will use these ratings to encourage continued support for local economic needs while ensuring safe and sound banking practices.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Property Development

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

A 2233: Revises oversight of "Community Wealth Preservation Program" and requirements for nonprofit community development corporations.

This bill revises foreclosure sale procedures for residential properties in New Jersey, directly affecting sheriffs, lenders, homeowners, and nonprofit community development corporations (CDCs). Key changes include requiring sheriffs to sell foreclosed properties within 150 days, mandating specific notice rules (including Fair Debt Collection Act compliance), and establishing a 3.5% deposit requirement for nonprofits or residents who plan to occupy the property for 84+ months. It also prohibits lenders from delaying sales if a nonprofit or homeowner intends to bid, and requires disclosure of property occupancy status before sale. The bill amends existing law (P.L.1995, c.244) and is currently pending in committee (introduced Jan. 2026).

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Community Development Homeownership Mortgages

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

A 2144: Prohibits sewerage authority from imposing connection fee in certain circumstances.

This bill prohibits sewerage authorities in New Jersey from charging new connection or tapping fees when redeveloping property that has been connected to the sewer system for 20 or more years. It applies even if the property was inactive for a period or if the redevelopment requires modifying the existing sewer connection. Property owners who paid such fees in protest before the law took effect are entitled to reimbursement from the sewerage authority. The law aims to reduce financial barriers to redeveloping vacant or obsolete properties that already contributed to the sewer system through prior fees or usage.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Community Development

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

A 1915: Makes supplemental appropriation of $10 million to New Jersey Community Development Corporation for various community projects in City of Paterson.

This bill provides an extra $10 million in state funding for community projects in Paterson through the New Jersey Community Development Corporation. The funds are specifically allocated to three projects: $4 million for the Great Falls Youth Center at 52 Front Street, $3 million for a STEM/AI Innovation Hub at 59 Spruce Street, and $3 million for affordable housing with retail space at 98 Spruce Street. The funding is supplemental to existing appropriations and targets physical improvements and services in Paterson. The bill directs the corporation to use these funds immediately for these designated projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Appropriations Affordable Housing Community Development Property Development Artificial Intelligence

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 23, 2026

A 2408: Amends Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations act to reassign appropriation for City of Camden for Capital Projects to Parkside Business & Community in Partnership.

This bill reassigns $500,000 in state funds from the City of Camden's Capital Projects budget to Parkside Business & Community in Partnership, a local nonprofit organization. The funds, originally designated for Camden city capital projects, will now support the nonprofit's neighborhood revitalization work in Camden's Parkside area, focusing on commercial development and housing. The change modifies the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations act to shift the funding source while maintaining the same total appropriation amount. This is a procedural reallocation of existing funds, not a new policy or funding increase.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development

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

A 1473: Allows certain municipalities to establish lower property tax rate on improvements than land.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Community Development Property Taxes Zoning

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

A 2964: Requires calculation of need for low and moderate income housing units to be based current percentage of units occupied by low and moderate income individuals or families; revises "Local Redevelopment and Housing Law" to allow for senior citizen housing and community development.

This New Jersey bill (A 2964) changes how municipalities calculate their obligation to provide low and moderate income housing. It requires each municipality to base its housing need calculation on the actual percentage of households in its area that are low/moderate income (using census data), setting a new 20% threshold for compliance. Municipalities falling below this threshold must develop additional affordable housing to reach 20%, with senior housing units counting toward up to 60% of the required affordable stock. The law revises housing statutes to implement this calculation method and exempts municipalities meeting the 20% standard from builder's remedy penalties.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Property Development

All housing bills