Governor Mikie Sherrill Takes Aim at NJ Housing Crisis

One of the most important things in life is having a good roof over your head. Having a place to live that makes you feel safe, comfortable, and content. I'm not saying it has to be a big, luxurious home or fancy apartment; it just has to be a place you can call home.

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The term "Affordable Housing" has become a common phrase these days, but it doesn't mean everyone has access to it. Many hardworking families are having difficulty finding a quality place to live.

My wife and I, when we were first married, always said rent/mortgage first. Take care of our housing first, then everything else comes second. Luckily, we didn't find out what happens when we couldn't, but many do find themselves in that situation, so what is the answer?

What Was NJ Governor Mikie Sherrill's Executive Order On NJ’s Housing Crisis?

According to a Patch article, Governor Mikie Sherrill signed an order that directs state agencies to work together to make housing more available and affordable for residents.

The order "creates a Housing Governing Council led by the state's Chief Operating Officer, with the Department of Community Affairs, the Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, the Economic Development Authority, and NJ Transit also at the table. A full housing plan is expected by September."

Roughly Two-Thirds of the Families Who Need Affordable Housing Can't Find It

The National Low Income Housing Coalition did a survey that found we have a problem here in New Jersey. The study found that New Jersey has only 34 affordable homes for every 100 extremely low-income renter households. It's pretty easy to do the math and see there is a shortage.

I do think this is a two-way street. One side is Trenton helping to generate affordable housing, the other side is tenants being responsible and caring for these housing options.

The Patch article added, "Sherrill's proposed state budget for fiscal year 2027 includes $70 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which helps first-time homebuyers with down payments."

As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, make a budget and know what you can afford, and then make housing your first bill to pay each month. It seems simple, and it works.