TRENTON – Today, Senator Troy Singleton announced legislation designed to facilitate and enhance the ability of faith-based and nonprofit organizations to develop affordable housing. The announcement took place during a roundtable discussion with faith leaders from around New Jersey at the Kennedy Center in Willingboro.

The legislation would authorize the conversion or partial conversion of property owned by faith-based and tax-exempt nonprofit organizations to inclusionary development, thereby enabling the faster production of much-needed affordable housing.

“New Jersey’s housing shortage is among the most severe in the nation, with a deficit of over 230,000 affordable homes. For many families, the promise of an affordable place to live feels more and more out of reach,” said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington), Chair of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. “To combat this crisis most effectively, we need to work with and engage every part of our community, including our faith-based and nonprofit organizations.

“Across our state, faith-based and non-profit organization have long been the pillars of our communities. This legislation builds on that by empowering them to transform and repurpose unused property into affordable housing. By doing so, deserving families will have a safe, stable, and affordable place to finally call home,” continued Singleton.

Under the bill, municipal planning boards would be required to permit the conversion or partial conversion of a property owned by a faith-based or nonprofit organization into an inclusionary development. The conversion, which would not require a use variance, would be subject to certain zoning requirements and the affordability constraints that are associated with inclusionary developments. Key highlights include:

• At least 20 percent of the residential units reserved as very low-income housing, low-income housing, or moderate-income housing; and of the residential units reserves as very-low income housing, low-income housing, or moderate-income housing, at least 50 percent within each bedroom distribution are low-income units, and at least 13 percent of the low-income units are very low-income units.
• Projects must comply with the State’s Uniform Housing Affordability Controls and meet specified density and height criteria.
• Eligible projects can access long-term tax exemptions and retain eligibility for other grants.
• Municipal approval is guaranteed as long as zoning and other requirements are met.

Singleton’s proposal compliments the federal “Yes in God’s Back Yard” (YIGBY) Act, which was introduced by Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ), along with his colleagues Mark Warner (D-VA) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), in September. The federal legislation similarly seeks to unlock the potential of affordable housing development from faith-based and nonprofit organizations as well as provide the resources and incentives needed to further empower these organizations to pursue conversions on the property they already own.

“New Jersey faces a housing crisis, and the only way we're going to solve it is if we work at the federal and state level to bring innovative solutions to our communities,” said Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ). “I'm proud to work with Senator Singleton and faith leaders as we work to cut red tape to allow our faith communities to be a part of how we build more affordable homes and more opportunities for families across New Jersey.”

“Our houses of worship have always been anchors of hope, service, and belonging. Now, with the YIGBY movement, we can extend that mission by using land to provide affordable homes for our neighbors. This is faith in action: turning faith and conviction into tangible impact. When government, faith leaders, and advocates work together, we can build the safe and affordable communities New Jersey needs. I applaud Senator Kim and Senator Singleton for their vision and leadership,” said Rev. Eric Dobson, Housing Advocate and Faith Leader.

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