MORRISTOWN, N.J. – On the campaign trail, then Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill unveiled a wide-ranging housing policy blueprint that calls for creating a statewide “Housing Czar,” accelerating home construction, expanding first-time homebuyer assistance, and streamlining regulations to address New Jersey’s growing housing affordability crisis.
The report, prepared by the Lowering Housing Costs and Expanding Homeownership Transition Action Team, concludes that New Jersey faces a shortage of more than 200,000 housing units, contributing to rising rents and home prices that have increasingly put homeownership out of reach for working- and middle-class families. According to the report, more than one-third of New Jersey households now spend over 30 percent of their income on housing.
Housing czar, transit development among top recommendations
Among the report’s highest priorities is establishing a Director of Housing Supply and Affordability within the Governor’s Office during the administration’s first 100 days. The position would coordinate housing policy across multiple state agencies, oversee permitting reforms, and lead efforts to increase housing production statewide.
The transition team also recommends directing NJ Transit and other state agencies to identify vacant and underused public land suitable for housing development, particularly near rail stations and transit hubs. The proposal builds on NJ Transit’s existing Land Plan, which identified roughly 8,000 acres of property that could support transit-oriented development while generating new municipal revenue.
Another recommendation calls for converting vacant shopping malls, office parks, and commercial properties into residential developments. The report urges the state to create a redevelopment initiative that would prioritize projects with affordable housing and expedite state reviews for municipalities ready to move forward.
Expanding homeownership and preserving affordability
The housing blueprint also proposes increasing support for first-generation homebuyers by expanding New Jersey’s Down Payment Assistance Program, which has already helped approximately 7,400 residents purchase homes over the past two years. The report recommends increasing funding and allowing assistance levels to rise with housing prices.
Other recommendations include encouraging construction of duplexes, triplexes, and other “missing middle” housing, promoting manufactured housing, creating additional municipal land banks, preserving existing affordable housing, and strengthening protections against housing discrimination and predatory lending.
The transition team also recommends modernizing housing finance programs, simplifying permitting through a “one-stop shop” application process, and expanding access to capital for nonprofit, faith-based, and smaller housing developers.
Federal funding concerns highlighted
The report warns that proposed reductions in federal housing programs could further strain New Jersey’s housing system and increase homelessness if enacted. It urges the future administration to challenge federal cuts through litigation when appropriate, coordinate with New Jersey’s congressional delegation, and strengthen the state’s homelessness prevention programs.
The recommendations are advisory and were prepared for a potential Sherrill administration. They have not yet been adopted as official state policy but outline the housing priorities the transition team believes should guide the administration during its first term.
Related: Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey housing, affordable housing, homeownership, housing affordability, NJ Transit, housing shortage, first-time homebuyers, transit-oriented development, New Jersey governor, housing policy, land redevelopment
