Announcements

 

2024-2025 HouseNJ Legislative Priorities

The 2024-2025 legislative session kicked off with the historic passage of S50/A4, which establishes a new framework for municipalities as they fulfill their Mt. Laurel fair share housing obligations. Thanks to the advocacy efforts of Network members and A-Teams, this landmark legislation will give municipalities expanded tools to work with Network members to meet their 4th round obligations.

The Network continues to advance its HouseNJ policy priorities, including growing the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to address NJ's severe affordable home deficit and to anticipate the state's 4th round affordable housing obligations. Other HouseNJ goals include growing the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit program, ending home appraisal bias, de-emphasizing credit scores for prospective affordable home applicants, and creating safe spaces during times of extreme heat. Network A-Teams will also continue to advocate for local and state-level rental protections and resources, including calling on the legislature to define what constitutes an "unconscionable" rent increase.

Programmatically, Network members and A-Teams will actively advocate for the implementation of essential tools like local land banks and the launch of the new Community Wealth Preservation Program.


Upcoming Events and Meetings

Tri-County County A-Team Meetings 2024: 
TBA

For more information, contact Matthew Hersh, Director of Policy and Advocacy at [email protected]

Upcoming Network Events:

Tri-County Advocacy Team Meeting
Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 11 AM

First Friday Member Discussion
Friday, May 10, 2024 at 10AM

Under One Roof Conference
Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at the Hyatt Regency New Brunswick


Become a Member!

With over 250 members of affordable housing and community development corporations, individuals and others who support the creation of homes and economic opportunity for low- and moderate- income residents, the Network's goal is to make housing and community choices more balanced and equitable. We are proud to be NJ's premiere source for public policy advocacy, technical assistance and training resources, and cutting-edge research for our partners' community revitalization efforts. Click here to learn more!

Our members include:

  • Nonprofit affordable housing and 
    community development organizations
  • Community organizing agencies
  • Other community-based nonprofit organization
  • Technical assistance providers
  • Various social service agencies
  • Financial institutions
  • Builders and developers


County Background

Tri-County: Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem

The Tri-County region’s persistent homelessness levels, a severely depressed South Jersey economy (unemployment is at around 14 percent), and poverty numbers in Cumberland and Salem that far surpass the state average, continue to vex the region amid a lack of housing options. Because of the relatively small population, our members are poised to put a dent in these indicators of a chronically sagging economy. 

Key policy focus:

  • County Homelessness Trust Fund

  • Neighborhood Empowerment Safety Training

  • Healthy Homes—Our members can work with municipalities and property managers to help educate the benefits of no-smoking rules as well as to work with policymakers to encourage active-friendly communities.

  • Vacant properties inventory—Despite the depressed market, the affordable housing stock is very limited. In Salem City alone, the average income is $23,000/year and yet the average rent is $1,200/month. The Tri-County A-Team will work with mayors, councils, and the freeholder board on identifying ways to repurpose the region’s vacant properties.

Resources

The following is a list of food, healthcare, housing, and financial resources along with resources for families, children, and seniors. Additional resources can be found here on our main resources page.

Emergency Assistance
An explanation of Emergency Assistance from the NJ Department of Human Services Division of Family Development.

SEED: Growing our Communities Program
Sponsored in partnership by the Network and New Jersey Community Capital (NJCC), this program provides HCDNNJ members and non-members access to low-cost, pre-development loans to support their economic development projects.

New Jersey HUD Certified Housing Counseling Organizations
This listing is of the HUD certified housing counseling organization that are part of the Network's housing intermediary sub grantee group.

Homelessness Trust Fund
This toolkit is to assist advocates in their efforts to help create County Homeless Trust Funds. Here you'll find a fact sheet, endorsements, model ordinance and county plans.