Housing (Affordable Housing)

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3226: Regulates institutional investor activities related to ownership of single-family homes, including purchase and lease; supports certain homebuyer assistance programs.

This bill regulates how large investment firms (defined as "institutional investors") can buy, own, or lease single-family homes in New Jersey. It requires these investors to register with the state's Community Affairs Commissioner and restricts them from purchasing homes that are actively listed for sale on public real estate databases. The bill explicitly excludes nonprofits focused on affordable housing, family trusts, and family-owned limited liability companies from these regulations. It also includes provisions to support existing homebuyer assistance programs, aiming to increase housing options for low- and moderate-income residents.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRestricts institutional investors from buying homes listed publicly, excludes affordable housing nonprofits, and supports homebuyer assistance programs - advancing affordable housing access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2722: Requires Department of Banking and Insurance to examine and rate lending institutions with regards to lending, investments, and services provided to low- and moderate-income consumers.

S 2722 requires New Jersey's Department of Banking and Insurance to assess how well banks, credit unions, and savings institutions serve low- and moderate-income consumers and communities. The bill mandates that the Department evaluate these institutions' lending, investments, and financial services - including affordable housing, small business loans, and accessible branch networks - as part of routine examinations. This assessment will rate institutions on their community reinvestment performance, focusing on underserved neighborhoods and areas with economic hardship. The goal is to ensure financial institutions meet community needs while operating safely, without requiring new funding or altering existing banking regulations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates evaluation of lending/investments for affordable housing, directly advancing low-income housing access per summary's focus on 'affordable housing' in service assessments.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 1803: Expands financing opportunities for low and moderate income housing.

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.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly expands financing for low/moderate income housing by broadening eligible loans to cover affordable housing types and related services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Mortgages

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2895: Requires additional surcharge on certain documents filed in certain county offices to support affordable housing in certain populous municipalities.

This bill (S 2895) requires counties containing cities of the first class (Newark and Jersey City, each with populations over 150,000) to impose a $3-$10 surcharge on real property documents filed in county offices. The surcharge funds are deposited quarterly into those cities' municipal affordable housing trust funds. The money must be used exclusively for rehabilitating or purchasing existing housing to create affordable units, or constructing new affordable housing. This provides a new revenue stream specifically for addressing housing affordability in these two largest New Jersey cities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new surcharge tax on property documents to fund affordable housing trust funds, directly allocating revenue to public housing programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill imposes $3-$10 surcharge on real property documents to fund affordable housing trust funds for rehabilitating/purchasing existing housing or building new affordable units.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Procurement Affordable Housing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1600: Establishing veterans' affordable housing preference; authorizing bonus fair share credit for veterans' affordable housing.

This bill (S 1600) requires New Jersey municipalities to give veterans with qualifying military service (including wartime or emergency duty) priority access to 50% of affordable housing units in new developments. It mandates that veterans applying within 90 days of initial marketing receive preference for these units, followed by a special waiting list for remaining vacancies. After the initial 120-day marketing period, veterans on the special list get priority when units become available, ensuring the 50% preference rate is maintained. The policy applies to both rental and ownership affordable housing units and does not affect municipalities' ability to claim credit for these units toward their housing obligations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates veterans' priority access to 50% of affordable housing units in new developments, increasing access for a vulnerable group and advancing affordable housing goals.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates veterans priority access to 50% of affordable housing units, expanding housing benefits for veterans with qualifying service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 451: Establishes "Forbidding the Algorithmic Inflation of Rent (FAIR) Act." *

This bill (S 451) prohibits landlords and property management software from using algorithmic systems to coordinate rental pricing and supply, which the legislature states has contributed to New Jersey's housing affordability crisis. It defines a "coordinator" as any service (including software) that collects pricing data from multiple landlords, analyzes it with algorithms, and recommends rental prices or lease terms - effectively enabling price-fixing. Landlords are banned from subscribing to such services, and coordinators are prohibited from facilitating agreements that restrict competition among rental property owners. The law directly affects landlords, property management companies, and software providers operating in New Jersey's rental market, aiming to increase price competition and reduce rent burdens for renters.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBans algorithmic price coordination by landlords, directly addressing NJ's housing affordability crisis and preventing rent hikes that harm tenants, aligning with tenant protection and affordability indicators.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBans algorithmic systems used for rental price coordination, restricting tech tools enabling price-fixing per legislative intent to address housing crisis.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 220: Establishes standards for expiration of rental housing affordability controls.

S 220 establishes rules for when rental affordability controls expire on restricted housing units in New Jersey. It requires landlords to notify tenants 120 days before expiration and mandates income verification (based on 80% of regional median income) 90-180 days prior to determine if rent increases are permitted. If tenants remain at or below the income threshold after expiration, landlords cannot raise rents above affordability levels until the tenant moves out; if income exceeds the threshold, landlords may charge market rate at the next lease renewal or 60 days later. The bill also requires leases to prominently display expiration dates and potential rent changes. This bill applies directly to landlords of affordable housing units and their qualifying tenants.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents rent hikes for qualifying tenants post-affordability control expiration through income verification, strengthening tenant protections and maintaining affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1101: Establishes New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program under gross income tax for certain home purchases during qualified periods by first-time homebuyers.

This bill creates a New Jersey tax credit for first-time homebuyers purchasing eligible homes during specific periods. It provides a credit equal to 5% of the home price (up to $15,000) for homes used as a principal residence for 36 consecutive months. The program has a total funding cap of $100 million, allocated across four terms with separate limits for new homes and previously occupied homes. The credit is applied over three tax years, and applicants must pre-qualify through the state director's office before purchase.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit (5% up to $15k) for first-time homebuyers, reducing tax burden and allocating $100M state funds for housing affordability.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates a $100M tax credit program (5% up to $15k) for first-time homebuyers, directly increasing affordable housing access through state-funded financial assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Procurement Tax Credits Affordable Housing Homeownership

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2889: "The Desegregate New Jersey Act"; promotes equitable residential development throughout State.

This bill, S 2889 ("The Desegregate New Jersey Act"), requires New Jersey municipalities to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - secondary living spaces on single-family lots - and mixed-use developments (combining residential and commercial spaces) in areas currently zoned only for single-family homes. It directly affects municipalities (by changing zoning rules) and homeowners (by allowing ADUs without triggering affordable housing quotas). Key provisions ban restrictions like mandatory passageways between units, parking fees for ADUs, or age requirements for occupants, and set a 65-day deadline for permit decisions. Municipalities failing to update zoning by June 2022 must follow these rules until compliance, removing barriers to denser, more diverse housing options.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates ADUs and mixed-use development in single-family zones, increasing housing supply and promoting equitable development without affordable housing quotas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Zoning

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 3103: Dedicates 50 percent of revenues collected from additional fees and taxes imposed on real property transfers valued over $1 million to Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects 50% of real estate transfer tax revenue from high-value properties to Affordable Housing Trust Fund, directly funding essential housing programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingDedicates 50% of high-value property transfer fees to Affordable Housing Trust Fund, directly funding housing programs per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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