New Jersey’s housing shortage has reached a breaking point.

Across the state, rents continue to climb, homeownership is increasingly out of reach, and young people raised here are being forced to look elsewhere to build their futures. The gap between the homes we have and the homes we need keeps growing.

Today, New Jersey faces a shortage of more than 200,000 affordable homes. Many families now spend more than half their income on housing. Meanwhile, the process for approving new housing projects can stretch for years, even in communities that recognize the need.

As we mark Fair Housing Month and commemorate the passage of the Fair Housing Act, we should ask a simple question: What more can we do to ensure every family has access to safe, affordable housing?

One answer may be hiding in plain sight across our state.

Faith-based organizations and nonprofit institutions have long served as anchors in New Jersey communities. Their missions call them to serve others, and many already operate food pantries, shelters and community programs that support families facing hardship.

Many of these same organizations also own land that could help address our housing shortage.

Across New Jersey, houses of worship and nonprofit institutions often have underused property that could be repurposed to provide housing for seniors, working families and residents struggling with rising housing costs. Unfortunately, outdated zoning rules and lengthy approval processes frequently make these projects difficult, expensive or impossible to complete.

That is why I have introduced legislation designed to remove those barriers and allow faith-based and nonprofit organizations to become stronger partners in addressing our housing crisis.

The proposal would allow these institutions to convert portions of their property into inclusionary housing developments, provided the projects meet clear affordability requirements and comply with existing planning standards. At least 20% of the homes would be reserved for very low-, low- or moderate-income households.

Importantly, the proposal does not eliminate local oversight. Projects would still undergo full municipal site-plan review, including evaluations of infrastructure, traffic, environmental impacts and emergency access. Local planning boards would retain authority to ensure developments are appropriate for their communities.

This legislation removes unnecessary obstacles that prevent faith institutions and nonprofits from using their land to help meet urgent housing needs.

The effort also complements federal legislation introduced by Sen. Andy Kim and others — the Yes in God’s Backyard Act — which would provide federal resources and technical assistance to support affordable housing development on land owned by religious organizations and institutions of higher education.

Together, these state and federal initiatives would create a more comprehensive framework to unlock new housing opportunities. Federal support can help communities navigate development and financing challenges, while state policy can provide the zoning clarity needed to move projects forward.

Addressing New Jersey’s housing shortage will require creative thinking and broad partnerships. Faith-based organizations have long served their communities. By empowering them to help address the housing crisis, we can take an important step toward expanding housing opportunities across the state.

Fair Housing Month is a reminder that access to housing is not just an economic issue — it is a matter of fairness, stability and opportunity.

If New Jersey is to remain a place where families can build their futures, we must be willing to pursue solutions that expand housing supply and strengthen communities.

This is one place to start.

Original Article