Housing (Housing Finance) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 5198: Facilitates changes to certain terms of State or federal tenant-based housing subsidy due to increase in household members, emergency conditions, and financial barriers faced by head-of-household.

This bill allows families receiving New Jersey or federal housing subsidies to adjust their assistance when their household size increases due to events like having a baby or adopting a child. It creates a streamlined process for these families to update their subsidy amount and the size of the apartment they can rent without losing their benefits. Additionally, the legislation enables an expedited change in who is listed as the head of household if emergencies or financial issues, such as poor credit history, prevent the current head from keeping the housing. To further protect families, the bill prohibits landlords from running credit checks on other household members during the rental application process, ensuring that only the designated head-of-household faces those screening requirements.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Renters

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4936: Establishes Whole-Home Repairs Program in HMFA; appropriates $25 million.

This bill creates a new Whole-Home Repairs Program within the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to provide financial assistance for home improvements. The program targets low-income homeowners and landlords with fewer than ten properties who need repairs for safety, accessibility, or energy efficiency. Eligible homeowners may receive grants, while eligible landlords can access loans that become forgivable if they agree to limit rent increases for at least two years. The legislation also mandates that construction workers be paid prevailing wages and gives priority to seniors, people with disabilities, and those facing immediate health risks. A total of $25 million is appropriated to fund these grants and loans.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Housing Finance Mortgages Renters

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4372: "Affordable Housing Insurance Stabilization Act"; establishes program within HMFA to provide financial assistance to qualified affordable housing property experiencing material insurance cost increases; appropriates $25 million.

This bill creates a program within the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to help affordable housing properties facing significant insurance rate hikes. To qualify for financial aid, a property must experience a cumulative insurance cost increase of at least 40% within 24 months and demonstrate that it has exhausted its own savings. The $25 million fund established by the bill will provide grants of up to $250 per unit annually, with a maximum of $1 million per project, to cover these increased costs. Recipients of the funds must agree to keep the buildings safe and compliant, maintain affordability restrictions, and submit annual reports on how the money was used. The program prioritizes housing for very low-income families, those with disabilities, and properties facing financial distress or expiring affordability rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Mortgages

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4249: Requires certain State housing assistance offices to provide voter registration forms.

This bill requires New Jersey housing assistance offices to provide voter registration forms to eligible individuals. Specifically, it mandates that offices within the Department of Community Affairs and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, which help people secure housing vouchers, rentals, or mortgages, make these forms available. The legislation updates existing state laws to include these housing agencies alongside public libraries and other government offices that already distribute registration materials. By adding these locations to the list of designated sites, the bill aims to expand opportunities for residents to register to vote while clarifying that the Secretary of State, rather than the Attorney General, oversees election administration.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Mortgages Tags Elections

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jul 22, 2026

A 5169: Authorizes HMFA to make certain reimbursements to support pre-purchase homebuyer counseling under Foreclosure Mediation Assistance Program.

This bill authorizes the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to provide reimbursements to qualified counselors for offering pre-purchase homebuyer counseling services. By expanding the existing Foreclosure Mediation Assistance Program, the legislation aims to help potential homebuyers avoid future financial difficulties before they occur. The funding mechanism involves a dedicated state account that reimburses counselors for their work, which also continues to support pre-foreclosure and disaster-related assistance. This change applies to homeowners and renters who receive guidance from trained professionals to prevent mortgage delinquency and foreclosure.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homeownership Housing Finance Mortgages

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4921: Requires certain State housing assistance offices to provide voter registration forms.

This bill requires specific New Jersey housing assistance offices to provide voter registration forms to the public. It directly affects agencies within the Department of Community Affairs and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency that help people obtain housing vouchers, rental housing, or mortgage loans. By adding these offices to the list of "public agencies" mandated by state law, the measure ensures that individuals seeking housing support can access registration materials at their point of contact. The legislation also updates the text to reflect that the Secretary of State, rather than the Attorney General, oversees election administration.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Mortgages Renters Tags Elections

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 4331: Authorizes HMFA to make certain reimbursements to support pre-purchase homebuyer counseling under Foreclosure Mediation Assistance Program.

This bill authorizes the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to provide reimbursements to qualified counselors for offering pre-purchase homebuyer counseling services. The legislation expands the existing Foreclosure Mediation Assistance Program, which currently funds counselors who help homeowners facing foreclosure or mortgage difficulties, to also include those assisting potential homebuyers before they purchase a property. By creating a dedicated funding account, the bill ensures that these counselors can receive payment for their work in providing early intervention education aimed at preventing future mortgage delinquency and foreclosure. This change directly affects homeowners and renters seeking guidance on buying a home as well as the counseling agencies that deliver these services.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homeownership Housing Finance Mortgages

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4246: Establishes Whole-Home Repairs Program in HMFA; appropriates $25 million.

This bill creates the Whole-Home Repairs Program within the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to provide financial assistance for home improvements. It targets low-income homeowners and small landlords by offering grants to owners and forgivable loans to landlords who agree to limit rent increases for at least two years. The program specifically funds repairs for accessibility, safety, energy efficiency, and weatherization, with priority given to seniors, people with disabilities, and those facing immediate health risks. A total of $25 million is appropriated from the state's General Fund to support these efforts while ensuring that construction work pays prevailing wages.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics State Budget Energy Efficiency Housing Finance Mortgages Tenant Rights

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 11, 2026

A 5026: Requires organizations providing services to homeless persons to participate in Homeless Management Information System to track occupancy of shelter beds.

This bill requires organizations that provide services to homeless individuals in New Jersey to join the Homeless Management Information System to track shelter bed occupancy. It establishes an Office of Homelessness Prevention within the Department of Community Affairs to coordinate services and manage data from state, county, and municipal agencies. The legislation also allows for the transfer of the Homeless Management Information System from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to the new office and provides funding to help organizations cover the costs of participation.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homelessness Housing Finance Mortgages

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3842: Provides for preservation bonus credit against affordable housing obligations to certain municipalities.

This bill adds a "preservation bonus credit" to New Jersey's affordable housing law, allowing municipalities to count existing affordable housing units toward their fair share obligation. It directly affects New Jersey municipalities required to meet affordable housing goals under the Fair Housing Act. The key provision lets municipalities earn credit for preserving affordable units in existing buildings (rather than building new ones), reducing the number of new units they must develop. This change simplifies compliance for municipalities with older affordable housing stock. The bill amends Section 11 of the Fair Housing Act (P.L.1985, c.222) to include this credit mechanism.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

All housing bills