Comprehensive bill package would modernize zoning system, remove barriers, and promote opportunity

TRENTON – At today’s Housing Justice Summit at Rutgers University-Camden, Senator Troy Singleton, Chair of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee, announced a sweeping, comprehensive package to substantively address the varied facets of New Jersey’s housing crisis.

The package, dubbed the Housing Opportunities Made for Everyone (HOME) Initiative, is dedicated to ensuring that every New Jersey resident, regardless of their income, background, or zip code has access to a safe and affordable home. It is designed to modernize outdated policies and remove the systemic barriers that have caused today’s housing crisis, and for too long limited housing access for working families, seniors, and young people. 

“The HOME Initiative reflects a simple truth – housing is the foundation of opportunity. Access to a safe and affordable home is the basis from which families can grow, children can learn and play, young people can build upon their careers, and seniors can age with dignity,” said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington).

The HOME Initiative complements and builds upon the landmark affordable housing law, S-50, authored by Senator Singleton, which was enacted in March of 2024. With an affordable housing system reformed to deliver housing at a faster pace and record participation from New Jersey municipalities in the ongoing 4^th round of Mt. Laurel, the HOME Initiative would further this progress by removing long-existing barriers to housing, improving affordability and protections for both renters and homeowners, as well as by incentivizing the production and rehabilitation of needed housing. 

“S-50 was a remarkable achievement that will set New Jersey up for a new future of affordability. I am immensely grateful to the advocates and municipalities that have worked together to help ensure this round of Mt. Laurel is a success,” continued Singleton. “But we cannot rest with this reform alone. The HOME Initiative is the next step in guaranteeing housing opportunity for all New Jerseyans and cementing our commitment to tackling the housing crisis.”

The legislative package consists of the following 12 bills:

Removing Barriers and Modernizing Zoning

• S-4037 (Singleton/Wimberly) - Establishes "Enhanced Transit Village Program" to be administered by Office of Planning Advocacy in Department of State and DOT; appropriates $25 million.
• S-2347 (Singleton/Timberlake) - Concerns development of accessory dwelling units and related regulations.
• S-1408 (Singleton/Wimberly) - Authorizes conversion of certain office parks and retail centers to mixed-use developments.
• S-4451 (Singleton/Wimberly) -  Clarifies requirements for land use plan element and housing plan element of municipal master plan. *Passed by Senate June 30^th, 2025*

Improving Affordability and Protections for Renters and Homeowners

• S-4359 (Singleton) - Allows gross income tax credits to certain renters whose rent exceeds 35 percent of gross income.
• S-4356 (Singleton) - Imposes annual State tax on investment ownership of single family residences in this State by certain entities for purposes other than single family ownership, providing revenue for down payment assistance for family ownership.
• S-4453 (Singleton/McKnight) - “New Jersey Rent-to-Own Rights Protection Act”; protects tenant-buyers in residential rent-to-own agreements.

Incentivizing Production and Rehabilitation of Needed Housing

• S-4599 (Singleton/Wimberly) - “New Jersey Workforce Housing Partnership Act”; incentivizes homebuyer assistance to certain employees, provides tax credits for development of certain workforce housing, and provides certain assistance and affordability protections for middle-income residents; appropriates $55 million.
• S-4653 (Singleton) - The "Vacant Property Revitalization and Affordable Housing Act"; establishes fund to revitalize certain real property and revises process for tax lien holder to foreclose the right of redemption; appropriates $50 million.
• S-4452 (Singleton) - "New Jersey Neighborhood Homes Investment Act"; establishes gross income tax credit for certain residential development.
• S-3743 (Singleton/McKnight) - Expands financing opportunities for low and moderate income housing.
• S-4736 (Singleton/Wimberly) - Enhances ability of religious and nonprofit organizations to convert certain property to inclusionary developments with affordable housing.

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