Housing in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 252: Requires advance notice of water supply discontinuations for non-payment of local government water bills; requires offer of payment plan in certain circumstances.

This New Jersey bill (S 252) requires municipal water authorities to provide 15 days' written notice before disconnecting water service for non-payment to property owners, the billed customer, and any tenants. Notices to tenants must include an offer for continued service billed directly to them. Authorities must also offer a reasonable payment plan if requested before disconnection. The bill applies to both water and sewer service disconnections, aiming to give residents more time and options to avoid service loss.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2451: Provides for preservation bonus credit against affordable housing obligations to certain municipalities.

S 2451 adds a "preservation bonus credit" to New Jersey municipalities' affordable housing obligations under the Fair Housing Act. It allows municipalities to earn credit toward their required low- and moderate-income housing targets by preserving existing affordable units rather than building new ones. The bill amends Section 11 of the Fair Housing Act to include this credit as a new option for meeting housing obligations. This directly affects all New Jersey municipalities with affordable housing requirements under state law. The policy change provides a specific mechanism for municipalities to fulfill their housing obligations through preservation efforts, which was not previously available as a credited method.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1056: Prohibits mortgage loan discrimination based on familial status.

This bill prohibits mortgage lenders in New Jersey from refusing loans or imposing worse terms based on a person's "familial status," which includes being a parent (natural, adoptive, or resource family), having custody of a child, or being pregnant. It directly affects mortgage applicants with these family situations and the lenders who serve them. Key provisions allow affected individuals to sue for damages and legal fees, while the Banking Commissioner can investigate violations and impose $10,000 fines per offense. The law aims to prevent discrimination in home loans related to family structure or parenting status.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Mortgages

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 402: Establishes confidentiality of landlord-tenant court records; addresses adverse actions on rental applications.

This bill (S 402) creates confidentiality rules for landlord-tenant court records in New Jersey. It prohibits public access to these records for 60 days after filing, and permanently blocks access for records where tenants win cases, settle favorably, or file valid legal claims against landlords. Landlords and tenant screening agencies can only access records if a judgment for possession is entered and no appeal occurs. The law directly affects tenants (by protecting their records from being used to deny housing) and landlords (who lose access to basic filing data for screening purposes).

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1573: Requires green building standards and impact studies for carbon, traffic, storm water, and schools for certain affordable housing development.

This bill requires new affordable housing developments (10+ units or 4+ stories) to meet minimum green building standards, such as LEED Silver certification, and conduct specific impact studies. Developers must submit traffic, school, stormwater, and carbon impact reports (for projects clearing over one acre) to local municipalities before construction. It applies only to new projects, not those with applications submitted before the bill's effective date. The law directs the Community Affairs Commissioner to create implementing rules within eight months of enactment.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Water Quality Affordable Housing Building Codes Historic Preservation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2471: Provides for increase in relocation assistance amounts based on increase of CPI.

This bill (S 2471) adjusts relocation assistance payments for people and businesses displaced by government property acquisitions in New Jersey. It directly affects homeowners and business/farm owners whose properties are taken for public projects (like infrastructure). The key mechanism updates payment amounts annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), replacing fixed dollar amounts with inflation-adjusted schedules. For example, moving expense allowances start at $450 and increase to $1,350 over four years, then rise yearly with CPI. Dislocation allowances and business relocation payments follow similar inflation-linked schedules.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1950: Requires additional credit against fair share obligation for abandoned property converted to affordable housing.

S 1950 amends New Jersey's affordable housing law to allow municipalities to earn additional credit toward their fair share obligation for low and moderate income housing when they convert abandoned properties into affordable housing units. Municipalities would receive a one-to-one credit for each converted unit, meaning each unit counts as one toward their required housing allocation. This directly affects local governments by providing a new incentive to repurpose vacant or abandoned properties instead of requiring new construction. The policy change simplifies compliance with housing requirements while encouraging the reuse of underutilized properties for affordable housing.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2430: Clarifies scope of affordable housing obligations.

S 2430 clarifies definitions for affordable housing obligations under New Jersey's 1985 law, directly affecting municipalities, housing agencies, and developers. It defines key terms like "low income housing" (affordable to households earning ≤50% of regional median income) and "moderate income housing" (50-80% of median income), while specifying how municipalities calculate their housing "fair share" using current and projected needs. The bill also details credit requirements for existing housing units built between 1980-1986 that meet affordability standards. These clarified definitions aim to streamline how municipalities determine and meet their affordable housing obligations under state law.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SCR 21: Proposes constitutional amendment to exclude military disability income from the $10,000 income limit for eligibility for the senior citizens and disabled persons property tax deduction.

SCR 21 proposes a constitutional amendment to exclude disability income paid by the United States Veterans Administration (USVA) from the $10,000 annual income limit for New Jersey's senior citizens and disabled persons property tax deduction. Currently, this income counts toward the limit, disqualifying veterans with service-connected disabilities who earn over $10,000 annually from the deduction. The amendment would specifically exclude USVA disability payments from the income calculation, allowing eligible disabled veterans to qualify for the deduction even if their total income (excluding these payments) exceeds $10,000. This change directly affects disabled veterans receiving USVA disability benefits who are otherwise eligible for the property tax deduction but are currently disqualified due to income thresholds.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes Veteran Benefits

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 734: Establishes public awareness campaign and call center for certain property tax relief programs; requires submission of annual report by Stay NJ Task Force.

This bill creates a public awareness campaign and call center to help New Jersey residents access property tax relief programs. It directly affects eligible homeowners and tenants who qualify for six specific programs, including the Stay NJ Credit, ANCHOR, Homestead, and senior/disabled tax deductions. The campaign will explain eligibility, application steps, and required documents through media and online channels, while the call center provides real-time assistance in English and three other common languages. The bill also requires the Stay NJ Task Force to submit an annual report on program administration.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

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