A broad coalition of 158 housing, civil rights, economic policy, social service, public health, and faith-based organizations sent a letter today to Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill urging her to make addressing New Jersey’s housing crisis — an issue she highlighted repeatedly during her successful campaign — a top priority of her administration.
The letter calls on Governor-Elect Sherrill to strengthen New Jersey’s affordable housing framework by expanding the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, dedicating new revenue to preserve and build affordable homes, and advancing zoning reforms that allow for a greater variety of housing options across the state.
The letter also urges the new administration to expand tenant protections to prevent evictions and homelessness, while creating more opportunities for BIPOC developers, protecting workers in the housing industry, and preventing the criminalization of homelessness.
During her campaign, Governor-Elect Sherrill pledged to tackle outdated zoning laws that block homes from being built, end diversions from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, expand support for first-time and first-generation homebuyers, and crack down on landlords who leave families facing unsafe or discriminatory conditions.
Thanks to New Jersey’s landmark 2024 law strengthening the Mount Laurel Doctrine, far more towns than ever before are creating affordable homes.
But with housing costs at record highs, advocates say now is the time for bold action to protect and build on this progress — especially amid looming federal funding threats.
“Increasingly, policymakers and the public are recognizing that inclusive development is not a burden — it’s an opportunity to strengthen communities, attract employers, and grow local economies,” the letter states.
The letter also emphasizes that New Jersey’s Mount Laurel Doctrine is increasingly viewed as a national model by advocates and policymakers around the country.
“States from across the political spectrum — from Texas to Massachusetts to Montana — have recently enacted new laws that incorporate elements of New Jersey’s groundbreaking policy framework,” says the letter.
Recent polling underscores broad public support for action. By wide margins, New Jersey voters say they want state leaders to prioritize building more homes over preserving local control (60%–26%) and to promote diverse housing options for people of all incomes rather than maintaining the preferences of current residents (62%–31%).
