Smart Move Program
The Smart Move Program is a housing development pilot program that will work with eligible developers to create quality, energy-efficient, resilient, and affordable single-family housing in lower risk areas within or near disaster-impacted communities.
Once the homes are constructed, the program will provide a path to homeownership for Ida-impacted residents. Smart Move will prioritize buyout program participants who sold their high-risk properties and income-qualified, first-time homebuyers, offering affordable housing and down payment assistance to income-qualified buyers.
Phase I: Housing Development
The Smart Move Phase I application period is now open and will close on April 30, 2025.
For crucial information regarding application requirements and scoring criteria, read through the entire Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA):
Notice of Funding Availability
Manville - Notice of Funding Availability
Applications will be evaluated competitively based on cost effectiveness, resiliency measures, innovative housing approaches, and other factors.
Application Materials:
Smart Move Program Sources and Uses Form
For best results, download the application materials to your desktop and use Adobe Acrobat for full functionality.
For questions regarding the application process please email: SmartMove@dca.nj.gov
Eligible Applicants
Developers experienced in producing single-family housing are able to apply with a housing development project located within the following most impacted and distressed (MID) counties: Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Union, and Warren.
Program Implementation
The program will be implemented under a developer-led model. Written support from the local government entity where the site is located is required. DCA will provide overall program management and oversight.
The developer will control the site, retain ownership of the development project, and sell properties to eligible homebuyers.
Maximum Award
The program will award a maximum of $15 million per project.
Eligible Activities
Smart Move will provide funds for the construction of single-family housing units and eligible activities related to the delivery of the units.
Award Details
DCA may provide funds for the following housing development costs:
- Land acquisition
- Infrastructure
- Housing Construction
- Soft Costs
- Developer Fee
Project Characteristics
Developers must submit projects that meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Located in a designated MID-area.
- Located outside the 500-year floodplain and the inland or coastal climate adjusted floodplain, as defined by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
- Contain a minimum of six (6) single-family housing units.
- Target ratio of:
- 70% of units sold to low- to moderate-income (LMI) households, which are households making 80% or less of the area median income (AMI).
- 30% of units sold to households that make between 81% and 120% of AMI.
- Meets or exceeds green and energy efficiency standards
- May be one of the following project types:
- New construction of single-family subdivisions
- Infill/scattered site development
- Adaptive reuse/conversions
- Within the project types, the program will also allow for:
- Attached or detached single-family homes
- Innovative housing construction (examples include but are not limited to 3D printed homes, tiny homes, and modular homes)
Phase II: Homebuyer Assistance
Phase II of the Smart Move Program will be launched as projects in Phase I are nearing completion.
To participate in the program, homebuyers must meet the following requirements:
- Have either (1) had their high-risk property acquired through a buyout program or (2) is a first-time homebuyer with a household income at or below 120% of AMI.
- Meet all loan requirements.
- Occupy the property as the primary residence.
Prioritization
- Priority Households
- Buyout program participants within the local government jurisdiction of the housing development.
- Buyout program participants outside the local government jurisdiction or first-time homebuyers at or below 120% AMI.
- Income-Qualified
- Households with incomes at or below 80% of AMI.
- Households with incomes between 81% AMI and 120% AMI.
Purchase Assistance to Homebuyers
The Smart Move Program will offer affordable single-family housing and down payment assistance to income-qualified households.
Down Payment Assistance
The amount of down payment assistance will be determined based on need during the underwriting and first mortgage loan approval process.
- Up to 20% of the affordable sales price for households with incomes at or below 80% of AMI.
- Up to 5% of the affordable sales price for households with incomes between 81% of AMI and 120% of AMI.
More Information
- Smart Move Notice of Funding Availability
- Manville Notice of Funding Availability
- Smart Move Phase I Policy English
- Smart Move Phase I Policy Spanish
- Smart Move Phase II Policy English
- Smart Move Phase II Policy Spanish
- Smart Move Program Presentation
Contact Us
For additional information, email: