Governor launches affordable housing push alongside Jeopardy! champ

As New Jerseyans struggle with soaring costs for homes and apartments, Gov. Mikie Sherrill aims to make housing more affordable and accessible with new initiatives announced Monday. 

In many parts of the state, housing costs have increased by at least 60% in the last five years, Sherrill said.

“We have a severe shortage of affordable homes, and it hits everyone,” Sherrill said. “I can say I’m a mom, and I want my kids to move back to our state, but not my basement.” 

Sherrill signed an executive order Monday that will give departments across her administration a 60-day deadline to form new ideas for speeding up housing production. 

Jamie Ding, the newly-famous Jeopardy! champion, joined Sherrill at the press conference in the Capitol. When not acing onstage trivia questions, Ding is the multifamily and tax credit program administrator at the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.

“I’m tempted to try to say something really profound and esoteric. I guess here it is: Housing is good,” said Ding, which stirred up laughter. 

Sen. Benjie Wimberly, a Democrat from Paterson, said he worries about the future of housing and wants his kids to have the opportunities they once had. 

“I have four sons, and my youngest is graduating in two weeks from college. I do not want them to live in the basement,” said Wimberly. “I love them, but I would love to see them move on.” 

Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, a Democrat from Voorhees, explained that he became a homeowner within six months after graduating law school – something that may seem unattainable to young residents today.

“I bought my first home in Cherry Hill … Some of the proudest moments of my life,” said Greenwald. “It was a starter home, but it gave me an opportunity to start my life with independence. … So when we hear stories over and over again about young people struggling to find housing, it’s because that housing does not exist.”

Greenwald has been an advocate of reclaiming and rebuilding abandoned housing in Camden, and has begun working with the administration to do the same in Atlantic City. 

With this new executive order, Sherrill plans to make state-owned land available for residential construction, including in Trenton and near transit hubs.

Sherrill emphasized the urgency of the situation and explained that her strict deadlines are designed to improve New Jersey’s housing as soon as possible. Along with the administration’s 60-day deadline, the Housing Governing Council will compile a detailed plan by September. 

“It will consider everything from financing, to land, to construction, and more. It’s a blueprint for building more and starting now,” said Sherrill. “My budget protects the Affordable Housing Trust Fund so we can use that money as it was intended to build housing that’s affordable.” 

Additionally, Sherrill said this will reinforce policies for downpayment assistance and property tax relief to keep families in their homes once they’re there. 

“This is a critical first step towards driving down housing costs across our state so families can live, stay, and thrive in New Jersey forever,” Sherrill said. 

This article was written and reported by Katherine Burgos, courtesy of the NJ State House News Service