Housing Advocates Applaud Gov. Sherrill on Housing Priorities Delivered at Housing and Economic Development Conference

9/29/2026

ATLANTIC CITY – During the 2026 Governor’s Conference on Housing and Economic Development today, Governor Sherrill delivered a speech outlining her administration’s housing priorities, including support for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and efforts to create more opportunities to develop affordable homes.

Following the speech, Housing and Community Development Network of NJ (the Network) leaders issued the following statement:

“Housing is a human right, but access to safe, decent, and affordable homes is becoming increasingly out of reach for too many of our residents,” said Edward Bethea, chair of the Network Board of Directors and president and chief operating officer for Gateway Community Action Partnership. “We applaud Governor Sherrill for her commitment to making New Jersey a place where everyone can afford to call home and for making housing access a priority for her administration.”

“We support the governor's whole-of-government approach that includes streamlining the permitting process for housing development, creating a single rental application, converting state-owned land and vacant and underutilized properties into affordable homes, and advancing transit-oriented development,” said Staci Berger, president and chief executive officer for the Network. “An essential component to accomplishing these goals is fully funding the New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund. We applaud the governor’s support for using the Fund to create more affordable homeownership and rental opportunities, and we urge the Legislature and administration to make a full investment in the Fund in the next state budget.”

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 270 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.