As municipalities across New Jersey work to meet their affordable housing obligations, Gov. Mikie Sherrill has announced a series of initiatives designed to help communities move housing plans from the drawing board to construction.
On Wednesday, Sherrill announced the expansion of the New Jersey Housing Opportunities for Municipal Equity and Success (NJHOMES) initiative, a state program that provides municipalities with training, technical assistance and funding to support the planning and implementation of affordable housing. Applications for the program’s second cohort of municipalities are open through July 1.
The announcement builds on Executive Order 17, signed earlier this year, which launched a broad, statewide effort to increase housing production while reducing barriers that can slow development. The order established a Housing Governing Council made up of leaders from multiple state agencies to coordinate housing policy, streamline permitting and identify opportunities to increase the supply of affordable, workforce and market-rate housing.
“Housing affordability remains one of the most pressing challenges facing New Jersey,” Sherrill said in announcing the initiatives. “If we want the next generation to stay here, build careers here, and raise families here, we have to make housing more affordable in New Jersey.”
Helping municipalities move from planning to construction
State officials say NJHOMES is intended to help municipalities create housing that reflects local needs rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
The program offers technical assistance, planning support, staff training and implementation resources to help communities develop affordable housing in a variety of forms, including single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, accessory dwelling units and small apartment buildings. The goal, according to program materials, is to encourage housing that fits a community’s existing character while expanding housing opportunities.
NJHOMES also provides communication resources to help municipalities educate residents about affordable housing, reduce stigma surrounding new developments and encourage community engagement throughout the planning process.
State agencies directed to identify housing opportunities
Executive Order 17 reaches well beyond the NJHOMES program.
The order requires executive branch agencies to inventory state-owned land, identify vacant or underutilized properties that could be suitable for housing, review regulations that may unnecessarily slow development and recommend ways to improve coordination among state agencies and local governments. Agencies must also identify outdated or duplicative rules that could be streamlined to accelerate housing production.
The Housing Governing Council is expected to deliver its initial recommendations to the Governor within 150 days of the executive order.
New funding for affordable housing
Sherrill also announced that the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency raised nearly $35 million through the state’s Affordable Housing Tax Credit auction. The funding will be used to help finance affordable and workforce housing developments across New Jersey, with the administration estimating the program could generate nearly $400 million over the next five years.
Local impact
The announcement comes as municipalities throughout the region continue implementing third and fourth-round affordable housing obligations under New Jersey law.
Hopewell Township recently adopted additional ordinances related to its proposed 100% affordable Weidel Tract development as it works toward state housing compliance. Hopewell Borough and Pennington Borough are also continuing work on local affordable housing plans and zoning updates, and Lawrence Twp continues to look at changes to their master plan while investigating locations for future development.
State officials say programs like NJHOMES are intended to give municipalities additional tools and technical support as they navigate those requirements while developing housing strategies tailored to their individual communities.
