Trenton, NJ – Thursday — The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs has named ten municipalities as the inaugural recipients of the NJHOMES Launchpad Grant, a new program designed to boost affordable housing development through training, technical assistance, and early-stage funding.
The NJHOMES Launchpad initiative will provide municipal housing officials with hands-on support, expert guidance, and funding to accelerate the planning and creation of affordable housing projects that meet the needs of their communities. The selected municipalities will participate in a structured program beginning September 17 at the Governor’s Conference on Housing and Economic Development in Atlantic City, continuing through October 29 with weekly trainings and virtual office hours.
The program is focused on preparing towns to implement affordable housing projects with long-term sustainability, with a strong emphasis on exploring innovative strategies such as Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Over half of the participating towns have indicated plans to incorporate ADUs in their affordable housing strategies.
The ten selected municipalities are:
- East Amwell Township
- City of East Orange
- Township of Evesham
- Fairfield Township
- Borough of Far Hills
- Township of Mendham
- Township of Montclair
- Borough of Palisades Park
- City of Salem
- Stafford Township
Each town was chosen through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, evaluated on their capacity to implement affordable housing plans, commitment to leverage funding, and geographic representation across the state.
The NJHOMES curriculum will cover all stages of housing development and emphasize economic tools such as public-private partnerships and ADU integration. Municipal participants will gain access to DCA experts, receive individualized technical assistance, and join a cohort of peers working toward equitable housing solutions.
This initiative builds on momentum from the 2024 affordable housing legislation signed by Governor Murphy and aligns with statewide efforts to meet long-term housing needs. Since Murphy took office, the DCA has distributed over $225 million toward affordable housing projects, supporting nearly 1,300 new rental and ownership units.
NJHOMES is administered by the DCA’s Division of Housing and Community Resources and aims to equip municipalities with the tools needed to deliver more affordable, accessible housing for residents at all income levels.
Key Points
- Ten municipalities were selected for NJHOMES Launchpad, a new program to support local affordable housing development.
- Participants will receive technical assistance, pre-development funding access, and training from housing experts.
- The initiative emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and local capacity, with a focus on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
Ten New Jersey towns are gearing up to reshape their housing futures with the launch of a new state-backed affordable housing program.
