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

Union County A-Team Meetings 2024:
Friday, March 8, 11AM-1PM, 1109 Morris Ave, Union, NJ 07083

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

Upcoming Network Events:
First Friday Member Discussion
Friday, March 1, 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

Union

The Union County A-Team operates in a part of the state flush with transit oriented development, older, residential bedroom communities with small downtowns, and urban centers bookended by Elizabeth and Plainfield. The county is on par with the state in terms of poverty¬—around 10 percent—and is slightly below the state’s median household income at $77,000.

However, property values are high and are on the rise and are considerably higher than the state average. More, many of the county’s 21 towns have a train station and are capitalizing off transit oriented development opportunities and are generally looking to improve downtowns. The concern, of course, is the presence of affordable homes as new residential is built.

Key policy focus:

 

  • Inclusionary Zoning—Our members will work with municipal leaders to ensure the presence of affordable homes in new development, particularly in communities where new homes are tied to downtown development.

  • Municipal Affordable Housing Compliance—Every town required to have an affordable housing settlement under Mt. Laurel has a court-approved settlement. This is a testament to Union County’s commitment to affordable housing. However, towns are now tasked to implement the plans. Our members are committed to working with municipalities to make sure each affordable housing plan is being effectively implemented.

  • Tenant Protections/Right to Counsel—The Union County A-Team aims to expand the healthy communities conversation to mental health. In addition to making the connections between place and physical health, the UC A-Team focuses on mental, emotional, and behavioral health issues. We feel this is critical for supporting the economic resilience of residents, and particularly low-income residents.

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.

Union 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.