Nj launches njhomes to help towns design equity based affordable housing that fits local character

TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has launched a new initiative, NJHOMES, aimed at guiding municipalities in creating affordable housing that aligns with local needs and neighborhood character. The program was formally introduced last week at a statewide convening in New Brunswick.

Short for New Jersey Housing Opportunities for Municipal Equity and Success, NJHOMES will provide local governments with access to training, technical assistance, planning tools, and funding opportunities. The initiative focuses on helping towns create housing that spans a range of income levels and life stages, with an emphasis on options between single-family homes and large apartment complexes.

Key Points

NJHOMES offers tools and funding to help municipalities develop affordable housing suited to their community.
The initiative promotes diverse housing types, including duplexes and accessory dwelling units.
A competitive NJHOMES Launchpad will support specific projects in 10 to 20 towns over the next two years.

“Without a doubt, NJHOMES will help jumpstart affordable housing projects around the state by providing municipal officials with a clear path forward on how to achieve their vision and goals,” said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez in a statement.

The program includes three components: a training curriculum on development processes, a web-based planning tool called NJHOMES Choice, and a competitive funding platform called the NJHOMES Launchpad. The Launchpad will support a select group of municipalities with direct funding and mentorship as they move forward with projects. A Request for Proposals is expected to be released in May.

NJHOMES builds on recent efforts by the Murphy administration to expand affordable housing. In March 2024, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation establishing a new framework for municipal housing obligations. In October 2024, DCA issued baseline affordable housing calculations for towns to use in long-term planning; most municipalities have adopted those guidelines.

Statewide impact and future planning

DCA says the NJHOMES initiative is part of a broader strategy to help municipalities meet their constitutional obligations for affordable housing in sustainable, community-centered ways. Assistant Commissioner Janel Winter, who leads the Division of Housing and Community Resources, said the goal is to help towns provide “life cycle housing” — homes for residents at all income levels and ages.

Since the beginning of the Murphy administration, DCA has allocated more than $225 million to create nearly 1,300 units of affordable housing. These projects, funded through the State’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund and other sources, have typically ranged from one to 24 units, reflecting the administration’s focus on neighborhood-scale development.

For full program details, municipalities and residents can visit nj.gov/dca/dhcr/offices/njhomes.shtml.

New Jersey’s NJHOMES plan aims to put towns in charge of smart, community-driven affordable housing.

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