Anti Poverty Network

A BLUEPRINT TO REDUCE POVERTY IN NEW JERSEY

Ensure Decent and Affordable Housing

As detailed in the APN’s housing policy paper, key components include:

A. Expand the state housing rental assistance program by doubling the current allocation to $50 million, followed by further necessary increases to meet the need. Access to the program must be opened to all income-eligible residents through creation of a new waiting list including those currently on all exiting PHA waiting lists as well as new applicants. The program should act as a bridge to federal Section 8 voucher assistance, but the artificial time limit of 5 years should be removed.

B. Develop a long-range strategy to increase the state’s low-income housing supply by creating at least 10,000 units per year (at least half of which must be targeted to households below 50% of the area median income) until the need is met, and ensuring affordability controls on the units created (both rental and homeownership).

C. Implement a comprehensive plan to preserve and rehabilitate existing affordable housing, including provision of grant funding for rehabilitation and enforcement of affordability controls.

D. Significantly revise the state redevelopment statute to prioritize preservation, protection, and development of affordable housing, as a way to maximize leveraging of private capital for affordable housing.

E. Combat housing segregation through programs which support housing choice and mobility, enforcement of existing law barring landlords from refusing prospective tenants with governmental rental assistance, and curbing the improper use of credit-scoring to bar lower-income tenants.

F. Ensure that people with disabilities have accessible affordable housing and receive an equitable share of all housing resources.

G. Reform and improve implementation of Mt. Laurel and the operation of COAH to more adequately respond to the need for affordable housing and to eliminate mechanisms that allow municipalities to transfer their obligations. Override, by legislation or litigation, the COAH third round rules to ensure that the COAH process addresses the current problems with RCAs, age-restricted housing, low growth-share ratios, administrative loopholes, and the lack of any required affordable housing for very low-income households.

H. Reform administration of the federal Section 8 program in New Jersey, take steps to protect existing voucher holders from the impact of federal cuts, and promote Section 8 homeownership when it provides the opportunity for more stable housing for lower-income households.

I. Develop a mechanism for creating a comprehensive statewide effort that coordinates all public and private resources. Target a proportional percentage of housing assistance so as to provide necessary assistance to very low-income people and families, which have the most severe housing problems.

J. Leverage the existing service system and develop new partnerships to stabilize vulnerable households in affordable housing.

K. Ensure that unnecessary social and regulatory obstacles do not inhibit opportunities to develop affordable housing or prevent individuals from accessing available units.

L. Increase Homelessness Prevention Program funding to $15 million immediately, with further increases as necessary. Ensure that HPP funds are administered flexibly and creatively to prevent homelessness.