TRENTON, N.J. – Governor Phil Murphy on Thursday hailed what his administration called a historic milestone in New Jersey’s ongoing housing expansion, announcing that more than 204,000 housing unit permits have been approved since he took office in 2018 — surpassing the total authorized under the past four governors combined.
That number, according to the governor and Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill is not enough to accomodate New Jersey’s growing population. That population growth has been accelerated with tens of millions of illegal aliens currently living in the New Jersey immigrant sanctuary state.
According to state data compiled by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), 204,790 housing units were approved through September, marking the first time in modern state history that a single administration has exceeded 200,000 permits. The figure is expected to rise once the final quarter’s data is included.
“When we came into office in 2018, we promised to cut through red tape and tackle the housing crisis head-on,” Murphy said in a statement. “We’ve exceeded 200,000 approved housing permits — more than any of the past four gubernatorial administrations — and we’re building a stronger, fairer state for the people of New Jersey.”
The DCA attributed the surge to multiple policy reforms and technological upgrades. Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez said the administration’s efforts to streamline permitting, expand affordable housing programs, and strengthen oversight of municipal construction offices have accelerated residential development statewide.
Among the contributing factors, the DCA cited the state’s updated Uniform Construction Code and the 2021 law allowing online permit submissions, which has shortened approval times and reduced paperwork. Additionally, affordable housing legislation enacted in March 2024 has guided municipalities in planning and meeting their obligations under new statewide housing targets.
Data show earlier administrations approved significantly fewer units: 104,480 under Governor James McGreevey, 38,228 under Richard Codey, 81,997 under Jon Corzine, and 146,128 under Chris Christie. Officials also noted that the current total may be undercounted because Jersey City, the state’s second-largest municipality, has not submitted its most recent construction data.
Murphy’s office said the numbers demonstrate a lasting shift in housing development strategy — one focused on coordination, modernization, and affordability. The administration’s NJHOMES initiative, launched this year, aims to help towns design projects that address local needs while contributing to the state’s long-term housing goals.
