TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed an executive order aimed at accelerating housing production and expanding access to affordable housing across New Jersey, officials announced.
Executive Order No. 17 establishes a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to address housing supply challenges, with recommendations for a statewide housing plan expected by September.
“We can’t make New Jersey more affordable without making housing more affordable” said Governor Mikie Sherrill. “With this Executive Order, we are aligning every tool at our disposal to accelerate housing production and make it easier for families to put down roots in the communities they love. Signed within our first 100 days, this action underscores our commitment to lowering costs, strengthening communities, and delivering real results for New Jerseyans. Because when we build more housing, we open the door to opportunity for everyone.”
The order outlines a timeline for action, including the creation of a Housing Governing Council within 45 days. The council will be chaired by the state’s chief operating officer and co-chaired by several agencies, including the Department of Community Affairs, the Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, the Economic Development Authority and NJ Transit.
Within 60 days, state agencies are required to submit reports identifying ways to accelerate housing production, reduce regulatory barriers and increase access to affordable housing. The reports will also review state-owned land that could be used for development.
By September, the council is expected to deliver recommendations addressing housing goals, production tracking, development of underutilized state property, coordination of funding and expanding access to affordable housing.
“I’ve been in this fight for a long time, right here in LD-35 and in Trenton, because I see every day how housing costs and instability impact our families,” said Senator Benjie E. Wimberly. “That’s why I’m glad to stand with Governor Sherrill as she pushes forward a real, coordinated effort to make housing more affordable, more accessible, and safer for the people we serve. This executive order speaks to our communities. We can build using state land to create opportunity and make sure folks can get into affordable housing. In districts like ours, where working families, seniors, and veterans are feeling the pressure the most, this is necessary. My work has always been about protecting people and expanding opportunities, and this effort by the Governor helps move that mission forward.”
“While it’s a credit to our state that so many people want to build their lives here, our housing supply has simply not kept pace with demand, and the crisis is being felt in every community,” said Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald. “The Governor and I share a commitment to meeting this moment with urgency and using every tool at our disposal to accelerate housing production, including leveraging underutilized state-owned land to expand housing opportunities. By focusing development near transit and adhering to smart-growth principles, we can ensure that our children can put down roots here, our workers can live closer to their jobs, our businesses can attract and retain talent, and our communities can evolve strategically and sustainably.”
“As someone who has spent a lot of time solving problems of my own creation, I know that how you set things up makes all the difference,” said Jamie Ding, Multifamily and Tax Credit Program Administrator at the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency. “I am pleased that this Executive Order clears obstacles and makes it easier to build the housing we need. When we remove unnecessary barriers, we create more opportunities for families to find places to call home in our great state.”
