Announcements

Lame Duck Session
There are just a few days left in the current NJ legislative session which means all pending legislative business must be wrapped up before the new session begins in January. On December 18, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Senate President Nicholas Scutari, Senator Troy Singleton, and Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez held a press conference to announce legislation addressing enforcement of the state's Mount Laurel Doctrine. The Network will be reviewing details of the legislation, in the meantime, click here for an official statement on the announcement. Click here for full descriptions of all HCDNNJ's lame duck policy priorities.

Upcoming Events and Meetings

Mercer County A-Team Meetings 2024:
TBA

For more information, contact Matthew Hersh, Director of Policy and Advocacy at [email protected]

Upcoming Network Events:
First Friday Member Discussion
Friday, January 12, 2024 at 11AM

35th Anniversary Celebration
Friday, April 12, 2024 at Forsgate Country Club



Become a Member!

With over 250 members of affordable housing and community development corporations, individuals and others who support the creation of homes and economic opportunity for low- and moderate- income residents, the Network's goal is to make housing and community choices more balanced and equitable. We are proud to be NJ's premiere source for public policy advocacy, technical assistance and training resources, and cutting-edge research for our partners' community revitalization efforts. Click here to learn more!

Our members include:

  • Nonprofit affordable housing and 
    community development organizations
  • Community organizing agencies
  • Other community-based nonprofit organization
  • Technical assistance providers
  • Various social service agencies
  • Financial institutions
  • Builders and developers


County Background

Mercer

In 2021, New Jersey’s capital county’s network of affordable housing advocates will work toward bridging affordable housing gaps countywide.

Key policy focus:

  • Problem and abandoned properties – Take inventory of some of the county’s hot spots, particularly in areas where there are concentrated abandoned properties. Trenton is an obvious focal point but Hamilton and Ewing both have significant challenges.

  • Community Health Neighborhood Initiatives – Identify ways that Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs) can help create homes in collaboration with local hospitals and improve health outcomes in NJ communities. Identify ways members can collaborate with local hospitals to provide residents with homes that are affordable and free of dangers like lead and mold. Other, possible successful outcomes are community gardens, free health screenings, and educational programs.

  • Economic Growth & Workforce Development—Trenton is the only city identified by DCA as eligible for NRTC, so we will work with Trenton stakeholders on strengthening support for NRTC projects.

  • New Urban Agenda – We will review the NUA and identify clear, actionable goals, as well as put into place longer-term efforts.

Resources

The following is a list of food, healthcare, housing, and financial resources along with resources for families, children, and seniors. Additional resources can be found here on our main resources page.

Mercer County Housing Resource Guide (English/Spanish)

Emergency Assistance
An explanation of Emergency Assistance from the NJ Department of Human Services Division of Family Development.

SEED: Growing our Communities Program
Sponsored in partnership by the Network and New Jersey Community Capital (NJCC), this program provides HCDNNJ members and non-members access to low-cost, pre-development loans to support their economic development projects.

New Jersey HUD Certified Housing Counseling Organizations
This listing is of the HUD certified housing counseling organization that are part of the Network's housing intermediary sub grantee group.

Homelessness Trust Fund
This toolkit is to assist advocates in their efforts to help create County Homeless Trust Funds. Here you'll find a fact sheet, endorsements, model ordinance and county plans.