TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey is the most densely populate state in America and one candidate for governor wants to see even more housing units built in the Garden State.
Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill pledged Tuesday to expand affordable housing development across New Jersey if elected governor, vowing to protect and prioritize funding for the state’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
In a statement shared on social media, Sherrill said too many working families are being priced out of the Garden State and outlined her plan to reverse that trend through increased housing production and financial support to municipalities.
“We can’t make New Jersey more affordable without making housing more affordable, and right now there simply aren’t enough homes accessible to families who want to live in the Garden State,” Sherrill wrote. “As governor, I will work with the legislature to pass budgets that end diversions from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and devote this funding to reducing costs for New Jersey families.”
The Affordable Housing Trust Fund, financed by real estate transfer fees, is designed to help municipalities and developers build income-restricted housing across the state. In recent years, some of that funding has been redirected to cover unrelated budget gaps.
According to estimates by the legislature, over 900,000 illegal aliens are residing in New Jersey, adding to the housing crisis.
Sherrill’s announcement indicates that housing affordability will be a central theme of her gubernatorial campaign. Her proposal would mark a departure from previous administrations that have used trust fund resources to address broader fiscal needs.
Sherrill has opposed the removal of criminal illegal aliens residing in New Jersey, under a directive by President Donald J. Trump.
Her comments come amid a growing statewide housing crunch, with demand outpacing supply and median home prices continuing to rise, adding to an energy and affordability crisis in New Jersey.
