Page 13 - RE-NJ

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SHERRILL SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER
TO SPEED HOUSING PRODUCTION
Gov. Mikie Sherrill is making a push
to accelerate housing production
in the state, announcing plans
for a new multiagency council
and several other steps to reduce
barriers to development.
The effort, launched by an executive
order signed in late April, includes
three deadlines in the next five
months that the administration
aims to meet as part of a so-called
whole-of-government approach.
First among them is the launch by
June 11 of a Housing Governing
Council chaired by the state’s chief
operating officer and co-chaired by
the state Department of Community
Affairs, the New Jersey Housing
and Mortgage Finance Agency,
Economic Development Authority
and NJ Transit, with participation
from several other agencies.
Within 60 days, by June 27,
Executive Order No. 17 directs
those agencies to conduct a
process, budgetary, regulatory and
land review ahead of a required
housing affordability report to
Sherrill’s office, according to the
announcement. That will pave the
way for the third deadline, Sept.
24, by which the council must issue
recommendations in five key areas:
• Defining housing goals for the
administration
• Tracking and accelerating housing
production
• Developing unutilized and surplus
state property into housing
• Coordinating funding and
financing processes for housing
development
• Inventorying and increasing
access to affordable housing
opportunities
“We can’t make New Jersey more
affordable without making housing
more affordable,” Sherrill said.
“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.”
Sherrill signed the order alongside
a bevy of lawmakers and other
government officials, including
Jamie Ding, the 31-game Jeopardy!
champion who also happens to be a
multifamily and tax credit program
administrator at HMFA. That drew
additional attention to a program
that seemingly has the support of
the commercial real estate industry,
housing advocates and other
stakeholders.
Among them is the New Jersey
Builders Association, which lauded
Sherrill for signing EO17 “and
recognizing the need for a whole-of-
government approach to housing.”
“This is an important step forward
in addressing New Jersey’s
affordability crisis,” said Jeff
Kolakowski, the association’s CEO.
“Our challenges are driven by a
shortage of housing supply, and
aligning agencies to remove barriers
and accelerate production is exactly
the kind of leadership this moment
demands. New Jersey can build its
way toward greater affordability, a
greener and more energy-efficient
housing stock and more modern,
Photo by Tim Larsen / Courtesy: Governor’s Office
Gov. Mikie Sherrill was on hand April 10 for a groundbreaking ceremony in Woodbridge,
where Pennrose is developing a new 60-unit affordable senior housing community.
resilient communities but only
if we make it easier to build and
identify where a full range of
diverse housing options should be
encouraged.
“We look forward to working
with the Administration to ensure
this effort delivers meaningful
regulatory reform, faster approvals
and real housing production on the
ground.”
Notably, the executive order
requires each report by the Housing
Governing Council members to
highlight immediate actions state
government could take to:
• Accelerate housing production
• Cut red tape
• Build on state-owned land
• Increase coordination among
agencies
• Remove unnecessary regulatory
barriers and
• Increase transparency for state
processes
The submissions will also highlight
existing innovative initiatives
dedicated to accelerating
production of affordable and
workforce housing units, increasing
access to affordable units, lowering
costs and increasing access to
housing opportunities, Sherrill’s
office said. RE
Building Lasting Partnerships
sjpproperties.com