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Gov. Mikie Sherrill Unveils Housing Strategy to Address Affordability and Increase Supply in New Jersey

Gov. Mikie Sherrill Unveils Housing Strategy to Address Affordability and Increase Supply in New Jersey

Gov. Mikie Sherrill has introduced a comprehensive five-part housing strategy aimed at increasing housing production and lowering costs across New Jersey. The plan seeks to double planned development on state-owned land to 40,000 homes, establish clear deadlines for permit decisions, and simplify the application process for affordable housing. Speaking at the 30th annual Governor’s Conference on Housing and Economic Development in Atlantic City, Sherrill emphasized the need for over 350,000 new homes in the next decade to meet current demand and accommodate future generations. The strategy, informed by recommendations from the Housing Governing Council, which Sherrill established in April, also focuses on redeveloping underused properties, expanding homeownership assistance, and combating unfair housing practices. The administration plans to introduce a 'shot clock' for permit applications to ensure more predictable timelines for builders and has already reduced backlogs for key housing-related permits in ...

Governor Sherrill Announces Initiative to Build Affordable Housing on State-Owned Land in Camden and Atlantic City

Governor Sherrill Announces Initiative to Build Affordable Housing on State-Owned Land in Camden and Atlantic City

Governor Mikie Sherrill has announced plans to construct affordable housing units on state-owned land in Camden and Atlantic City. This initiative aims to address the need for more accessible housing options in these New Jersey cities. The announcement was made by Governor Sherrill, with details provided by KYW Newsradio South Jersey reporter Mike Dougherty. The specific parcels of state-owned land targeted for these developments have not been fully detailed, but the focus is clearly on utilizing existing public assets to alleviate housing shortages. This move signifies a direct governmental effort to intervene in the housing market to create more affordable living spaces for residents in key urban areas.

Gov. Sherrill Seeks to Strengthen Ties with South Jersey, Addresses Regional Concerns

Gov. Sherrill Seeks to Strengthen Ties with South Jersey, Addresses Regional Concerns

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill is actively working to rebuild and strengthen communication and trust with South Jersey municipalities and legislators, a region that has historically felt overlooked by the state administration. District One Assemblymen Antwan McClellan and Erik Simonsen have noted improved communication from Sherrill's team compared to previous administrations. Sherrill acknowledged this historical disconnect during her campaign and has made it a priority to be present in South Jersey. She has appointed Kelly Doucette as the state's first chief operating officer to ensure better coordination among state departments like Transportation, Environmental Protection, and Community Affairs, with Doucette and other commissioners making multiple visits to Cape May County. While communication pathways have been established, Simonsen emphasizes the need for direct action to follow these conversations. Key issues being addressed include the delayed Resilient Environments and Landscapes (REAL) rule, par...

Maui County Council Faces Delays in Finalizing South Maui Growth Plan Amid Community Concerns

Maui County Council Faces Delays in Finalizing South Maui Growth Plan Amid Community Concerns

The Maui County Council is experiencing significant delays in finalizing a new legal blueprint for the long-term growth and development of South Maui, a plan that is over two decades overdue for an update. Council member Tamara Paltin, who chairs the committee responsible for reviewing the plan, indicated that the final approval is unlikely to occur with the current council. Residents from Kīhei, Wailea, Mākena, and Māʻalaea have voiced concerns that the current draft is overly developer-friendly, promoting rapid population growth without adequately addressing critical issues such as chronic flooding, water availability, affordability, and insufficient emergency evacuation routes. Many community members are advocating for changes that would mandate developers to construct affordable housing and restrict new construction until essential infrastructure upgrades and new evacuation routes are established. Conversely, attorneys representing developers argue that such stringent restrictions could lead to legal c...

KTGY, The Pinkard Group, and Akridge Top Off Alexandria Office-to-Residential Conversion

KTGY, The Pinkard Group, and Akridge Top Off Alexandria Office-to-Residential Conversion

KTGY, an award-winning national design firm, along with developers The Pinkard Group and Akridge, has announced the topping off of 1201 E. Abingdon Drive in Alexandria, Virginia. This project involves the adaptive reuse of a vacant 1980s office building, transforming it into a 143-unit multifamily community. The development is located in the Old Town North neighborhood, offering convenient access to the Potomac River waterfront and downtown Washington, D.C. The 95,000 sq. ft. Class A office building is being converted into elegant apartment homes, including one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, with a portion designated as affordable housing. The design, refined in collaboration with the City of Alexandria’s planning board, includes converting the existing penthouse into residential units and amenity spaces, and adding a new wing to create a U-shaped configuration with an urban courtyard. The project is expected to be completed in Summer 2027.

New Jersey Nonprofits Sue Trump Administration Over HUD Housing Counseling Cuts

New Jersey Nonprofits Sue Trump Administration Over HUD Housing Counseling Cuts

Two New Jersey nonprofits, New Jersey Citizen Action and the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey, have joined a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's decision to cancel $56.1 million in funding for HUD’s Comprehensive Housing Counseling program. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, alleges that the administration unlawfully withheld congressionally approved money and targeted recipients based on their advocacy and political views. The complaint specifically challenges the administration's use of a 'pocket rescission,' where a proposal to cancel appropriated funds was sent to Congress just five days before the September 30, 2026, deadline to commit the money, effectively canceling it without congressional action. The White House defended the cuts by claiming the counseling program had not demonstrated reduced mortgage delinquencies and accused recipients of pursuing 'discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion agendas.'

Hazelwood Redevelopment Demonstrates Investment Without Typical Gentrification Displacement

Hazelwood Redevelopment Demonstrates Investment Without Typical Gentrification Displacement

The Hazelwood neighborhood in Pittsburgh has undergone significant redevelopment, particularly with the Hazelwood Green riverfront project, without exhibiting the typical indicators of gentrification-induced displacement. Researchers found that residential stability remained high, and the risk of displacement was lower compared to other similar neighborhoods. Unlike typical gentrification scenarios, Hazelwood did not experience an influx of new residents, a significant rise in resident income profiles, or a transition from predominantly minority to predominantly white populations. The share of nonwhite residents actually increased from 48% in 2010 to 55% in 2022. This outcome is attributed to substantial investments by the Heinz Endowments, totaling $24 million since 2012, which supported housing production and preservation, including home repairs, rehabilitation of rentals, and acquisition of vacant land. Despite these positive findings, persistent poverty and fears of displacement remain among residents,...

City of Rochester Launches New Community Food System Plan to Combat Rising Food Insecurity

City of Rochester Launches New Community Food System Plan to Combat Rising Food Insecurity

The City of Rochester, New York, has initiated a new community food system plan aimed at addressing the growing issue of food insecurity. This comes as nearly one in five Rochester residents are food insecure, a rate that has increased significantly since the pandemic, according to the latest Feeding America report. Elizabeth Murphy, Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives for the Department of Neighborhood and Business Development, noted that while food insecurity rates were declining pre-pandemic, several major events, including federal policy changes and the rollback of SNAP benefits, have exacerbated the challenge. The city's new food map is designed to help organizations like Foodlink and local community groups strategically plan food distribution. The map categorizes areas based on risk factors such as poverty and lack of access to healthy, affordable food options, using shades of orange for highest need areas and purple for areas with slightly better, but still limited, access to grocers. The i...

Santa Barbara Considers Short-Term Rental Ordinance to Address Housing Shortage

Santa Barbara Considers Short-Term Rental Ordinance to Address Housing Shortage

The City of Santa Barbara is currently evaluating a proposed Short Term Rental Ordinance. This ordinance presents two distinct paths for the city: either maintain the existing status quo, which could lead to a situation similar to Venice, Italy, where a significant portion of the local population no longer resides in the city, or implement the ordinance to free up hundreds of new rental units. The goal of the ordinance is to make more housing available for Santa Barbara's citizens and workforce. The discussion around this ordinance highlights concerns about the availability and affordability of long-term housing for residents, contrasting it with the economic benefits and potential displacement associated with short-term rentals. The city is at a critical juncture, weighing the impact of tourism and short-term accommodations against the needs of its permanent population.

Montgomery County Office Conversions Adhere to Minimum Affordable Housing Requirements, Incurring Significant Tax Forgone

Montgomery County Office Conversions Adhere to Minimum Affordable Housing Requirements, Incurring Significant Tax Forgone

Montgomery County's tax incentive program for converting vacant offices into housing has supported five projects in its first year, collectively creating 1,819 units, with 322 designated as affordable. These projects consistently meet the legal minimum of 17.5% affordable housing, with none exceeding this threshold. The program is estimated to result in $31 million in forgone county taxes over the 20-year life of the agreements. County Executive Marc Elrich had previously vetoed the tax incentive, citing concerns about its cost to the county and potential benefits disproportionately favoring developers. The County Council, however, overrode his veto, arguing the incentive was necessary to stimulate conversions. The largest project, East-West Properties, will include 500 units with 88 affordable units. To qualify, commercial buildings must have been at least 50% vacant when the conversion application was filed. The incentive was introduced as Montgomery County faced high office vacancy rates, with Bethesda'...

N.J. Ends Emergency After Nor'Easter Damage

N.J. Ends Emergency After Nor'Easter Damage

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has officially ended the state of emergency declared during the recent weekend nor'easter, which caused significant damage across the state, particularly along the coastline. The storm led to severe beach erosion, damaged oceanfront promenades, and disrupted infrastructure in several shore towns. Crews are currently inspecting affected areas to assess the extent of the damage, with results pending. Efforts are underway to address the destruction before winter storms exacerbate the situation. U.S. Representative Jeff Van Drew is scheduled to tour storm-damaged areas, including Long Beach Township, Brigantine, Atlantic City, Sea Isle City, and North Wildwood, alongside federal, state, and local officials. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is also being consulted for potential emergency beach replenishment projects to mitigate further damage.