Assembly Advances Bill to Create Database of Affordable Housing
Under the bill, each municipality would be required to submit a quarterly report to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) of the affordable housing units, senior citizen housing units, and veterans units within their communities.
TRENTON – The Assembly Housing Committee recently advanced Bill A3363, which would create a centralized directory of affordable housing, senior citizen housing and veterans housing, with the goal of easing the identification and application processes for these units. The directory would be accessible to individuals searching for housing on state and municipal websites. Assemblyman Cody Miller and Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson sponsored the bill.
Under the bill, each municipality would be required to submit a quarterly report to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) of the affordable housing units, senior citizen housing units, and veterans units within their communities. The report would include general information about each unit, such as whether applications are being accepted, if there is a waitlist, and instructions on how to apply for tenancy in any identified housing unit.
“Finding affordable, senior, or veteran housing shouldn’t feel like searching for a needle in a haystack,” said Assemblyman Miller (D-Atlantic, Camden, Gloucester). “Through this legislation, we are creating a user-friendly system that makes it easier for people to access clear, up-to-date information about available housing options in their communities, ensuring they can find a home without unnecessary obstacles.”
Once compiled, the information would be published on the websites of the NJDCA, the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA), and the New Jersey Housing Resource Center (NJHRC). Additionally, municipalities with their own websites would be required to provide links to the NJDCA, NJHMFA, and NJHRC sites so residents are able to locate the collected housing information with ease.
“When someone is searching for a new apartment or house, they can effortlessly access a wealth of information across multiple websites, where it is neatly aggregated,” said Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson (D-Hunterdon, Mercer). “By collaborating with each municipality to share data on available affordable housing, as well as housing for seniors and veterans, we can offer individuals the same convenience in finding their next home.”
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