Announcements

Out of Reach 2023
According to an annual, national report, New Jersey is the sixth most expensive location for renters. The report, Out of Reach, was jointly released by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), a research and advocacy organization dedicated solely to achieving affordable and decent homes for the lowest income people, and the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (the Network). Learn more at www.hcdnnj.org/oor.

Upcoming Events and Meetings

Middlesex County A-Team Meetings 2023:
Friday, September 15, 1-2PM - agenda here
Friday, December 15, 1-2PM

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

Upcoming Network Events:
First Friday Member Discussion
Friday, September 8, 2023

Under One Roof: Network Conference & Membership Meeting
Friday, October 20, 2023


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

Middlesex

The Middlesex A-Team comprises 25 towns right at the crossroads of New Jersey’s major throughways. It also includes more New Jersey Turnpike exits than any other county in the state and contains four and soon to be five stops on New Jersey Transit’s Northeast Corridor – the busiest passenger rail line in the country. It also contains two stops, in Woodbridge and Perth Amboy, along the North Jersey Coast Line.

Because of this, redevelopment and inclusion of affordable housing is critical as towns look to develop near transit centers and subsequent neighborhood improvement takes place. The Middlesex A-Team and its nearly 20 affordable housing practitioners and advocates are working to make sure the county remains inclusive and affordable.

Key policy focus:

  • Redevelopment and advocating for higher affordability percentages, scattered-site affordability, and more.

  • Single-family lots –Achieve market-rate affordability through multi-family homes on single-family lots. The Middlesex A-Team can explore local or statewide legislation that better enables market-rate affordability and allows towns to fulfill their COAH obligations using other means.

  • Code Blue – Middlesex County towns have an uneven and inconsistent approach to code blue and not every town has a location to which to send its homeless residents, resulting in an inefficient and messy process where police from other towns are transporting homeless persons out of their towns for shelter. A Middlesex County A-Team will advocate for county-wide uniformity, clear communications, and designated code blue spaces.

  • The Arts–Public art and public art displays are integral to sustainable communities. Through our members, including Middlesex member CoLab, the Middlesex A-Team will encourage arts initiatives that promote neighborhood revival.

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.

Middlesex 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.