New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Announces the NJHOMES Launchpad Grant Recipients

• Posted on: 08/21/2025

Ten Municipalities Selected for Affordable Housing Development Training, Technical Assistance, and Funding

TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) today announced the ten municipalities selected for the first cohort of the New Jersey Housing Opportunities for Municipal Equity and Success (NJHOMES) Launchpad program.

NJHOMES Launchpad provides funding to support municipal housing staff, technical assistance, mentorship, and select access to pre-development funding. The goal is to accelerate the development of affordable housing that meets local needs. The program begins with a kickoff event at the Governor’s Conference on Housing and Economic Development on September 17, 2025, in Atlantic City and runs through October 29, 2025, with weekly training sessions and virtual office hours.

The initiative brings DCA experts and local officials together to create affordable housing that is community supported and sustainable. The use of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) was a priority innovation to be explored in the launch program. More than half of the municipalities will include them in their plans. 

“The Murphy Administration’s focus on affordable housing, including the landmark law signed in 2024, continues to deliver results,” said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “Through NJHOMES, we’re equipping municipalities with the tools and support they require to create housing that fits their communities and meets the needs of residents.”

“NJHOMES will expand affordable housing options for people at all life stages,” said DCA Assistant Commissioner and Director of the Division of Housing and Community Resources Janel Winter. “With expert guidance, funding, and technical resources, municipalities can create vibrant neighborhoods with long-term housing stability.”

The ten municipalities were selected through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Selection was based on each municipality’s responses, data on municipal progress, capacity for affordable housing development, leveraged funding commitments, where available, and geographic diversity.

The NJHOMES curriculum includes in-person and online-learning sessions led by DCA staff and guest experts. Participants will receive reading and video assignments to support training topics. Sessions will cover all aspects of housing development, with emphasis on ADUs, public private partnerships, and housing as a tool for economic development.

NJHOMES Launchpad Recipients

• East Amwell Township
• City of East Orange
• Township of Evesham
• Fairfield Township
• Borough of Far Hills
• Township of Mendham
• Township of Montclair
• Borough of Palisades Park
• City of Salem
• Stafford Township

NJHOMES is the latest initiative to support affordable housing across New Jersey. In March 2024, Governor Murphy signed landmark affordable housing law to support towns in meeting their affordable housing obligations. In October 2024, DCA released calculations to assist municipalities in planning for its affordable housing needs for the next decade. Most municipalities have adopted DCA’s calculations.

Since the start of the Murphy Administration, DCA has provided more than $225 million in funding, creating nearly 1,300 units of affordable rental and homeownership opportunities through the State’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the National Housing Trust Fund, and the NJ Healthy Homes initiative. Most of these projects range from one to 24 units.

The Division of Housing and Community Resources, which administers the NJHOMES program, strengthens and revitalizes communities through affordable housing, supportive services, and financial and technical assistance to communities, local governments, and community-based organizations.

DCA offers a wide range of other programs and services, including local government management and finance, fire safety, building safety, disaster recovery and mitigation, local planning services, historic preservation, and information privacy.

For more information about DCA, visit https://nj.gov/dca/ or follow the Department on social media: