New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A1746

Introduced

1/9/24

Refer

1/9/24

Caption

Permits certain portion of municipal development trust funds to be spent on housing affordability assistance to veterans.

Impact

The bill aims to enhance accessibility to homeownership for veterans, who often face unique challenges in entering the housing market. By enabling a segment of municipal funds—funds typically reserved for broader affordable housing programs—to be used specifically for veteran assistance, the legislation intends to provide targeted support for this demographic. Furthermore, the grants provided under A1746 would not count as income for the purposes of taxation or eligibility for other state programs, allowing veterans to access this support without jeopardizing their benefits.

Summary

Assembly Bill A1746 has been introduced to support veterans by allowing municipalities in New Jersey to allocate a portion of the development fees collected from residential developers towards housing affordability assistance specifically for veterans. This bill amends previous legislation (P.L.2008, c.46) regarding the collection and use of municipal development trust funds, integrating a new component that highlights the affordable housing needs of veterans. The proposed law stipulates that up to 30 percent of development fees directed toward affordability assistance programs can be utilized to provide grants for first-time homebuying veterans, limiting the amount of assistance to $15,000 per recipient.

Contention

While the bill is poised to aid veterans, there may be concerns regarding the potential strain on municipal resources if a significant proportion of the development fees are redirected towards this new program. Critics might pose questions about the prioritization of veteran housing needs over others, particularly in local contexts that also require financial support for low- and moderate-income families. The legislation's alignment with existing statutes, particularly surrounding municipal control and the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH), could also spur discussions among lawmakers about the appropriate balance between targeted assistance and broader housing initiatives.