As New Jersey’s gubernatorial race heats up, housing remains a critical issue. Everyone agrees that we need more market-rate and affordable housing to meet demand, and there is also a consensus that housing prices in New Jersey are too high. But what can the government do differently to address these issues? Policymakers and our next governor need to acknowledge that current government policies are exacerbating these problems, not solving them.
Co-working demand grows in New Jersey, as users seek flexibility amid continued uncertainty
After 18 months doing their jobs from home because of COVID-19, many New Jersey workers are returning to flex and co-working spaces. Operators are responding by adding more private suites to their offerings to make users feel safer from infection — and while they’re keeping a wary eye on COVID’s Delta variant, they’re optimistic about demand, for both the short term and long term.
Retail leaders see a clearer path to recovery, despite continued uncertainty
Despite the enduring struggles of malls, further bankruptcies by large chains and other challenges to brick-and-mortar retail, industry leaders say the path to stability is becoming clearer. That’s especially true for properties that were fundamentally stronger before the pandemic, which are now drawing the attention of tenants in search of space.
New Jersey needs turnkey lab space, faster approvals to compete for life sciences users
Experts say New Jersey faces a growing challenge: While it’s still a major draw for pharmaceutical research and development, speed to market has become increasingly important to life sciences users. That means the state’s lack of move-in-ready lab space — and its lengthy approval process for new construction — puts it at a disadvantage to competing markets.
Technology can be crucial to health, safety in post-COVID office buildings
With some office workers returning to work in New Jersey, landlords have taken steps to keep them safe and healthy in their buildings. Those steps involve not only physical upgrades and new on-site technology, but the use of apps and digital platforms aimed at keeping employees informed, engaged and connected.
NJAA: State must act quickly with rental assistance, resist new mandates on landlords
The New Jersey Apartment Association has called for rental assistance since the earliest days of the pandemic, as it continues to defend against other legislative proposals that it says would have severe unintended consequences. In part two of his two-part column, NJAA Executive Director David Brogan discusses the ongoing need for assistance and the complexity of disbursing it even after it has been approved. He also highlights the potentially devastating effects to both apartment owners and single-family homeowners if lawmakers take actions that further curtail rent revenue.