Announcements

2024-2025 HouseNJ Legislative Priorities

The 2024-2025 legislative session kicked off with the historic passage of S50/A4, which establishes a new framework for municipalities as they fulfill their Mt. Laurel fair share housing obligations. Thanks to the advocacy efforts of Network members and A-Teams, this landmark legislation will give municipalities expanded tools to work with Network members to meet their 4th round obligations.

The Network continues to advance its HouseNJ policy priorities, including growing the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to address NJ's severe affordable home deficit and to anticipate the state's 4th round affordable housing obligations. Other HouseNJ goals include growing the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit program, ending home appraisal bias, de-emphasizing credit scores for prospective affordable home applicants, and creating safe spaces during times of extreme heat. Network A-Teams will also continue to advocate for local and state-level rental protections and resources, including calling on the legislature to define what constitutes an "unconscionable" rent increase.

Programmatically, Network members and A-Teams will actively advocate for the implementation of essential tools like local land banks and the launch of the new Community Wealth Preservation Program.

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, May 10, 2024 at 10AM

Union Advocacy Team Meeting
Friday, May 24, 2024 at 11 AM

Under One Roof Conference
Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at the Hyatt Regency New Brunswick


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.