Sherrill's Order Accelerates NJ Affordable Housing Push

TRENTON, N.J. (Day.News) — Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed Executive Order No. 17 on April 27, directing a whole-of-government push to accelerate affordable housing production and broaden access for New Jersey residents. The order, announced from the Statehouse, requires state agencies to deliver recommendations for a comprehensive housing plan by September, building momentum from landmark legislation signed by former Gov. Phil Murphy in March 2024. 'These steps will maximize the impact of New Jersey’s successful new affordable housing law requiring every municipality to create its fair share of affordable homes,' Sherrill said in a statement.

Murphy's Bill A-4/S-50, enacted as P.L. 2024, Chapter 2, streamlined enforcement of the Mount Laurel Doctrine, mandating towns to zone for their share of low- and moderate-income units and reducing litigation delays. The Department of Community Affairs released non-binding calculations in 2025 detailing municipal obligations from 2025 to 2035, using data-driven formulas to assess present and prospective needs. Advocates, including Fair Share Housing Center, hailed the law as establishing one of the nation's strongest frameworks, with reforms taking effect in 2025.

Complementing these efforts, Murphy signed S-1430 in December 2024, expanding voucher programs to include homeownership assistance akin to the federal Section 8 program. The law reserves state rental assistance funds for monthly payments or down payment grants, targeting families in high-cost areas like Bergen and Monmouth counties. Sherrill's order demands ideas from agencies within 60 days, addressing zoning barriers criticized by groups like New Jersey Future for inflating costs and limiting supply.