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Housing Advocates Celebrate Murphy Administration’s $60 Million Announcement to Build A Thriving New Jersey; Affordable Housing Trust Fund Release Turns Page on Christie-Era Budgeting February 19, 2020 The Housing and Community Development Network of NJ (“the Network”), the statewide association of nonprofit community developers and housing advocates, cheered today’s announcement from Gov. Philip M. Murphy and Lt. Gov. Sheila Y. Oliver that detailed the disbursement of the $60 million from the state’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF). The AHTF, which supports the creation of affordable homes for New Jersey families, seniors and people with disabilities through the collection of realty transfer fees, had been diverted for nearly a decade before being restored in the FY2020 budget. On the announcement, Network President and CEO Staci Berger issued the following statement: “Our members, who are working to create the affordable homes our neighbors and our communities need to thrive, are absolutely thrilled with today’s announcement. For nearly a decade, we have been fighting to restore the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which is crucial to addressing our state’s housing affordability crisis. This investment will help to ensure that everyone can afford to call New Jersey home. The parameters of the program will allow the AHTF to be used in communities around the state, to create all kinds of affordable homes and allow our sector to innovate in the process. “We are proud that our tireless advocacy efforts – from phone calls and in-district meetings, to swarming the State House with poll results showing that 80% of NJ residents worry about housing costs – has finally led to this day. We are deeply grateful to Gov. Murphy, Lt. Gov. Oliver, Senate President Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Coughlin and all of the housing and community development champions in the Legislature for their steadfast commitment to housing affordability and inclusion,” Berger said. About the Housing and Community Development Network of NJ: The Network 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: Matthew Hersh
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