Housing (Homelessness) in New Jersey

died · New Jersey · Senate Jun 22, 2026

S 2885: Establishes Statewide database of beds in shelters for homeless.

This bill creates a statewide database to track real-time availability of shelter beds for homeless individuals across New Jersey. Homeless shelters (excluding those for domestic violence victims) must update their bed availability in the Homeless Management Information System within one hour of changes. Shelter operators must share this data to remain eligible for state funding from the Departments of Community Affairs and Human Services. The system aims to help shelter staff and referral providers quickly locate available beds in nearby facilities, improving access to emergency housing.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homelessness

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3177: Authorizes establishment of municipal homelessness trust funds and adoption of homeless housing plans by municipalities.

This bill allows New Jersey municipalities to establish dedicated "Municipal Homelessness Trust Funds" and adopt comprehensive "Homeless Housing Plans" to address homelessness. Municipalities would create these trust funds using a new fee (collected by the municipality) and other local funds, which must be spent within four years on housing homeless individuals, preventing homelessness, and related services like emergency shelter support. Each municipality must form a task force - including people experiencing homelessness, community organizations, and local officials - to guide fund usage, measure outcomes, and report annually. The funds cannot pay municipal debts, and unspent money after four years transfers to the state for community-based housing initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homelessness

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2477: Permits temporary rental assistance for emergency assistance recipients.

This bill amends New Jersey's emergency assistance program to expand temporary rental assistance for individuals facing homelessness, domestic violence, or extreme hardship. It allows recipients to receive up to 24 cumulative months of emergency assistance (extending the previous 12-month limit) under specific conditions, such as for families with dependent children in extreme hardship, disabled individuals, seniors over 60, or those providing full-time care for disabled dependents. Key provisions include mandatory monthly case reviews for extended assistance, requiring case management services focused on housing stability, and creating a new tracking system to report assistance usage annually to the legislature. The bill directly affects low-income residents receiving emergency aid through Work First New Jersey or Supplemental Security Income who face urgent housing crises.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homelessness Renters

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 1155: Establishes matching grant program in DCA to support community-based nonprofit organizations that provide shelter services during Code Blue alerts.

This bill creates the Code Blue Shelter Matching Grant Program within New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA). It provides matching grants to community-based nonprofits (with 501(c)(3) status) that offer shelter during Code Blue alerts - extreme cold weather emergencies - by matching funds they received from counties or municipalities within the past year. To qualify, nonprofits must submit detailed applications about their finances, the source grant amount, and how funds will be used, with DCA awarding grants in order of receipt and capping total matching funds per county/municipality at $50,000 annually. The program requires a three-year effectiveness report to the Governor and Legislature on how well it addresses shelter needs for homeless and at-risk individuals.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homelessness

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 661: Increases FY2024 appropriation from General Fund to DCF for the Center for Great Expectations by $1.5 million from $500,000 to $2.0 million.

This bill increases state funding by $1.5 million for the Center for Great Expectations in Somerset, raising its FY2024 appropriation from $500,000 to $2.0 million. The Center provides safe housing and support services to over 1,000 individuals annually, including homeless or economically marginalized people, pregnant or parenting individuals, and those with mental health or substance use challenges. The additional funds will directly support three key programs: the state's only residential program for adolescents with mental health disorders, an adult residential program for pregnant women, and outpatient mental health/substance abuse services. The bill amends the state's annual budget to adjust the funding line for this specific program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Mental Health Substance Abuse Homelessness

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 2620: Requires State to bear partial cost of transportation of certain homeless students to school.

This bill requires the New Jersey State to cover transportation costs for certain homeless students that exceed a district's average per-pupil transportation expense. It directly affects homeless students temporarily living in a district different from their school district of residence (e.g., due to shelter or displacement) and those displaced by terrorism or natural disasters. The key provision mandates the State pay for transportation costs above the district's standard average, rather than the district covering all excess costs. This applies when students attend school in their district of residence while temporarily residing elsewhere, or when students displaced by disasters remain in their original district for up to two years. The policy change clarifies state responsibility for a portion of transportation expenses, reducing financial burden on local school districts.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics School Transportation Homelessness

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1105: Makes supplemental appropriation of $600,000 to Joseph's House of Camden to provide shelter and services to people experiencing homelessness.

S 1105 provides an additional $600,000 in state funding to Joseph's House of Camden, a shelter in Camden, New Jersey. This supplemental appropriation directly supports the organization's existing services for people experiencing homelessness, including shelter and related programs. The funding comes from the General Fund under the Social Services Programs budget category (specifically line item 05-8050). The bill does not create new programs but allocates existing state resources to strengthen current homeless services at this specific shelter.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Homelessness

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3051: Establishes Safe Haven Homeless Housing Program; appropriates $30 million.

This bill establishes New Jersey's Safe Haven Homeless Housing Program, which would provide low-interest loans to developers to convert underused buildings (like vacant malls, warehouses, or hotels) into housing for homeless individuals and families. The program targets "very low-income households" (earning ≤30% of area median income) and offers two housing types: transitional housing (up to 24 months with support services) and permanent supportive housing. It appropriates $30 million from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to create a dedicated Safe Haven Homeless Housing Fund, administered by the state Housing Agency, with interest earnings also deposited into the fund. The bill requires the agency to develop implementing rules but does not change existing eligibility or housing standards.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homelessness

All housing bills