The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs announced the launch of the New Jersey Housing Opportunities for Municipal Equity and Success (NJHOMES) initiative aimed at assisting municipalities in developing affordable housing that meets community needs and is scaled for every neighborhood.
NJHOMES will provide financial resources, training, technical assistance, and web-based tools to help municipalities learn about affordable housing models, build neighborhood engagement, and select housing that is the right fit for their community.
“DCA has long worked to ensure a more equitable housing landscape in New Jersey, guiding families toward safe, affordable homes and paths to homeownership, which strengthen communities and benefit all residents,” said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez.
A primary focus of the initiative is to present options to municipalities to narrow the gap between single-family homes and large apartment complexes. Housing models such as duplexes, townhomes, and accessory dwelling units can serve residents at all life stages.
There are three features to the NJHOMES initiative:
- Training on all aspects of the housing development process from the municipal perspective, including how to utilize planning and zoning to facilitate innovative development, how to foster strong partnerships with developers who are invested in the community, and how to use housing to help boost economic development.
- NJHOMES CHOICE planning tool is an interactive, web-based portal designed by DCA data specialists that allows municipalities to test the impact of a variety of types of housing models on their affordable housing obligations and plans.
- The NJHOMES Launchpad is a competitive opportunity that will offer funding, enhanced technical assistance, a learning and collaborative community, and mentorship to a group of 10 to 20 municipalities that commit to development projects within the next two years. DCA anticipates posting the Request for Proposals for the NJHOMES Launchpad in May.
