NJ Senate Sends Land Bank Bill to Governor

5/30/2019

The New Jersey Senate today voted in favor of legislation creating land banks, sending the bill to Governor Murphy after prior approval from the Assembly. A land bank is a tool municipalities can utilize in their efforts to address vacant, abandoned, and nuisance properties. Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (the Network) President and CEO Staci Berger issued the following statement on the bill’s passage:

“Municipalities like Newark and Bridgeton have worked tirelessly to reclaim blighted properties by using tools like the Abandoned Properties Rehabilitation Act. The land bank bill allows towns to take their efforts a step further by reclaiming the eye-sores and municipal budget busters from owners that show no interest in developing them and transforming the property into a community asset.

“The bill sponsors, Senator Ruiz and Assemblywoman Jasey, have fought long and hard to bring this valuable tool to NJ municipalities and we appreciate their tenacity. The Legislature has passed land bank legislation in the past with bi-partisan support but it was vetoed twice by the previous governor. We urge Gov Murphy to sign this long-awaited legislation without delay."

About the Housing and Community Development Network of NJ
The Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey is the statewide association of more than 250 community development corporations, individuals and other organizations that support the creation of affordable homes, economic opportunities, and strong communities. For more information on the Network, visit www.hcdnnj.org.

For more information: Nina Rainiero
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Website: hcdnnj.org
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