S 1759 increases the portion of rent that counts as property taxes for tax deduction purposes from 18% to 30% for renters whose rental unit is their primary residence. It also raises the maximum property tax credit amount from $50 to $250 for eligible taxpayers, including those aged 65 or older, or who are blind or disabled and not subject to New Jersey income tax. These changes apply to both homeowners and renters who qualify for these tax benefits under New Jersey law. The bill modifies specific definitions and credit thresholds in the state's tax code without altering eligibility criteria.
S 1903 establishes the New Jersey Military Family Relief Fund, a permanent fund in the State Treasury funded by voluntary taxpayer contributions designated on state income tax returns. The fund provides grants of up to $2,500 to cover essential expenses like food, housing, and medical costs for New Jersey residents who are active-duty military members (including reserves), National Guard members, veterans (with honorable discharge), or surviving spouses of eligible service members. To qualify, applicants must be NJ residents for at least 12 consecutive months, demonstrate financial hardship, and cannot receive more than one grant within a 12-month period. The Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs administers the program, determining eligibility and issuing grants from available funds.
S 1803 expands financing options for affordable housing projects in New Jersey by broadening the definition of "eligible loans" to cover a wider range of housing types, including multi-family units, boarding houses (with specific exclusions), continuing-care retirement communities, assisted living, and mobile homes. It explicitly allows loans to finance related services like parking, utilities, community facilities, and life safety improvements in boarding houses, certified by the Department of Community Affairs. This bill directly affects low and moderate-income housing sponsors (developers, nonprofits, or for-profit entities) seeking funding for projects that provide residential housing. The key change is streamlining access to financing for diverse affordable housing models through the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
This bill requires New Jersey residential landlords to accept rent payments made by cash, certified checks, money orders, personal checks, or through rental assistance programs. Landlords cannot force tenants to use electronic funds transfers for rent payments. Violating these requirements results in a $2,000 penalty per offense for landlords, and tenants may also sue for an additional $2,000 plus legal fees. The law applies directly to landlords and tenants in residential leases across New Jersey.
This bill (S 1786) establishes statewide rules to encourage accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - secondary housing units on the same lot as a primary home - across New Jersey. It requires municipalities with low population density (<9,000 people per square mile) to permit ADUs by default, while denser areas must have already adopted ADU-friendly zoning by 2025. Key provisions include mandating ADUs be at least 300 square feet with full living facilities, restricting them to personal use (not rental income), and allowing them only on lots zoned for single-family or two-family homes. The bill directly affects homeowners seeking to build ADUs, local governments updating zoning, and residents potentially gaining access to more affordable housing options.
This bill allows religious and nonprofit organizations to convert their nonresidential properties into housing developments that include affordable units, directly affecting these organizations and local municipalities. It requires municipal planning boards to approve such conversions without needing special variances, provided at least 20% of residential units are reserved as very-low, low-, or moderate-income housing, with specific sub-requirements for income tiers. The bill also permits increased density (up to 40 units per acre) and building height (one story above standard limits) for these projects and makes them eligible for long-term tax exemptions under New Jersey’s tax law. These changes aim to streamline the creation of affordable housing on properties owned by qualifying organizations while maintaining state affordability standards.
This bill directs 50% of revenue from fees and taxes on real property transfers exceeding $1 million (applied to sellers of residential, commercial, and certain other high-value properties) to the New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Instead of depositing these funds into the General Fund as current law requires, the bill mandates they support affordable housing programs. The change takes effect July 1 following enactment, with the Trust Fund managing these dedicated resources for housing initiatives.
This bill bans landlords and housing programs from using credit scores or credit reports to evaluate applicants for affordable housing. It directly affects low- and moderate-income households seeking subsidized housing or units restricted to such households. Instead of relying on credit scores, it requires individualized assessments of applicants' ability to pay rent based on income relative to rent (2x or 2.5x rent, depending on subsidy type). The law aims to prevent discriminatory rejections that disproportionately impact people of color, disabled individuals, and others facing systemic barriers.
S 1548 proposes a new "Support Our Veterans" license plate for New Jersey vehicle owners. Drivers who choose this plate would pay a $50 application fee and a $10 annual renewal fee. All collected fees would fund veterans' services at Veterans Haven facilities through the Veterans Haven Council, after covering initial administrative costs. The program would support housing and services for homeless veterans, with funds deposited into a dedicated state fund.
This bill amends New Jersey's Fiscal Year 2026 budget to redirect $500,000 originally designated for the City of Camden's Capital Projects fund to Parkside Business & Community in Partnership, a local nonprofit. The reassignment shifts funds from city capital projects to support the nonprofit's work revitalizing Camden's Parkside neighborhood through commercial development, housing, and community initiatives. This is a procedural budget adjustment that changes fund allocation without creating new policies or altering overall spending levels. The bill specifically updates the appropriations act's line items to reflect this reallocation.
