New Legislation Will Provide $20M For NJ Special Needs Housing

NEW JERSEY — Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law new legislation that will allocate $20,000,000 to the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund, which provides housing for individuals living with special needs.

“The Special Needs Housing Trust Fund has been depleted, despite its critical role in supporting housing projects for some of the state’s most vulnerable populations,” Murphy said.

The new funding was moved from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which has recently seen a significant increase due to the high volume of real estate sales, to the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund, according to the Governor's Office.

"With this bill now being law, the Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency can immediately begin developing plans for this crucial housing need," Murphy said.

Providing appropriate housing for this part of the population has its own set of challenges.

“Housing accommodations can be a challenge for residents with disabilities, whether it is providing special ramps or appliances they require to perform simple daily tasks," Assemblymembers Benjie Wimberly, Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and Cleopatra Tucker, all sponsors of the bill, said in a joint statement.

The bill recognizes this part of the population's housing needs.

“There is an imperative to develop more good, quality affordable housing for people with disabilities – housing that meets the needs and preferences of New Jersey’s large and diverse disability community,” said Paul S. Aronsohn, State Ombudsman for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their families.