The following is a listing of testimony delivered by Network staff before various state legislative committees. For any questions or comments, please contact Matthew Hersh, Director of Policy and Advocacy, at [email protected]
 

Assembly Housing Committee Testimony on Housing Unaffordability and Rising Rents - Monday, September 23
Network Director of Policy and Advocacy Matthew Hersh testified before the Assembly Housing Committee on the Network's policy priorities to HouseNJ.

Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee Testimony in Support of S1311 - Monday, May 6, 2024
Network Director of Policy and Advocacy Matthew Hersh outlines the argument for S1311 to the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.

Expanding the Affordable Housing Trust Fund in the FY2025 State Budget - March 11, 2024
Network Director of Policy and Advocacy Matthew Hersh testifies to the Assembly Budget Committee on necessary potential funding increases in the next state budget to make housing more affordable and reliable for everybody in New Jersey.

Codifying prohibition of discriminatory practices in real estate appraisals and requires real estate appraisers to complete anti-bias training - February 22, 2024
Network Director of Policy and Advocacy Matthew Hersh testified before the Assembly Housing Committee in support of prohibiting discriminatory real estate appraisals.

Reforming municipal responsibilities concerning affordable housing, abolishing COAH, and appropriating $16 million - January 29, 2024
Network President and CEO Staci Berger testified before the Assembly Housing Committee in support of reforming municipal fair share affordable housing obligations.

Reforming municipal responsibilities concerning affordable housing, abolishing COAH, and appropriating $16 million - January 25, 2024
Network Director of Policy and Advocacy Matthew Hersh testified before the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee in support of reforming municipal fair share affordable housing obligations.

Establishing "Community Wealth Preservation Program" and expanding access for certain buyers to purchase property from sheriff's sales - January 4, 2024
Network Director of Policy and Advocacy Matthew Hersh testified before the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee in support of establishing the Community Wealth Preservation Program.

Creating Code Red alert pilot program to shelter at-risk individuals during hot weather - November 30, 2023
Network Director of Policy and Advocacy Matthew Hersh addressed the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee on implementing shelter provisions during extreme heat.

FY2024 State Budget - March 27, 2023
Network Director of Policy and Advocacy Matthew Hersh addressed the Assembly Budget Committee on making investments that create housing stability and affordability.

Streamlining Affordable Housing Assistance Applications - February 13, 2023
Network Director of Policy and Advocacy Matthew Hersh testified before the Assembly Housing Committee on A2760, which would consolidate certain affordable housing and assistance applications.

Municipal Fair Share Obligations - September 15, 2022
Network Director of Policy and Advocacy Matthew Hersh testified before the Assembly Housing Committee on the Mount Laurel decision and municipal affordable housing obligations.

HouseNJ Resolution Urging Congress to Invest in Housing - May 9, 2022
SJR70 urges Congress to include transformative housing investments in any final reconciliation package.

FY2023 State Budget - March 29, 2022
Network Director of Policy and Advocacy Matthew Hersh addressed the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on making transformational, once-in-a-lifetime investments that create housing stability and affordability.

Creating the Community Wealth Preservation Program - March 14, 2022
The Network supports A793, which would establish the Community Wealth Preservation Program, playing an important part in addressing the state's affordability crisis and an enormous part in address that crisis includes removing the systemic barriers that prevent people from accessing a home.

Expanding the Liability of Landlords Associated with LLCs - March 7, 2022
The Network supports S523 because we and our members share long-standing concerns about a limited liability corporation's ability to avoid accountability when it comes to municipal and other violations related to their properties.

Permitting Accessory Dwelling Units - March 7, 2022
The Network supports S345 to facilitate the development of accessory dwelling units, which we and our members view as tools for providing affordable homes.

Senior Housing Instability and Affordability - February 3, 2022
Network Senior Policy Advisor Arnold Cohen testified before the Assembly Aging and Senior Services Committee about the housing crisis that New Jersey seniors are experiencing.

Addressing Housing Instability and Affordability - February 3, 2022
Network President and CEO Staci Berger spoke before the Assembly Housing Committee regarding New Jersey's housing affordability crisis and housing instability.

Creating the Community Wealth Preservation Program - February 3, 2022
The Network supports A793, which would establish the Community Wealth Preservation Program, playing an important part in addressing the state's affordability crisis and an enormous part in address that crisis includes removing the systemic barriers that prevent people from accessing a home.

Providing mortgage payment relief for residential property owners and small landlords during the COVID-19 pandemic - January 27, 2022
The Network supports S344, which would require lenders to provide forbearance to homeowners affected by the pandemic.

Eliminating the Supplemental Realty Transfer Fee - January 27, 2022
The Network opposes S114, which we believe would remove resources from towns and counties for housing, infrastructure, and public health.

Affordable Housing Preference for First Responders - November 15, 2021
The Network opposes a bill, S3085, which would allow a town carve out up to 50 percent of its affordable housing obligation for qualifying first responders, a sector that is majority white and male. The Network and its members oppose any occupational preference in meeting a town’s obligation, but more, this bill would leave many low- and moderate-income earners behind and would result in a widening racial and wealth disparities that already exist in our communities. Help us opposed this bill by reaching out to [email protected]