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Housing and Equity
We simply do not have enough homes to rent or buy, causing costs to skyrocket and driving residents out of our great state.
But creating great places to live isn’t just about building more units — it’s about building connected communities that meet everyone’s needs.
We must tackle the root causes of our housing and neighborhood challenges by addressing:
- The lack of housing choices: Many towns are still dominated by large, single-family homes. We need more housing options — duplexes, triplexes, small apartments, accessory dwelling units, multifamily buildings and other “missing middle” types of housing — to meet demand.
- Segregation by income and race: Our housing market naturally segregates households by both income and race, making it difficult for young people, people on fixed incomes, working families, and essential workers to live in healthy, amenity-rich communities of their choice. We need to create more mixed-income communities by dismantling restrictive and discriminatory zoning and land use practices.
- Zoning regulations: Beginning with the age of the automobile, zoning was appropriated to reinforce sprawl and segregation. We stopped creating the pedestrian-oriented community forms built on a street grid that fostered convenience, active lifestyles, and community connectedness. It’s time to rethink our approach and do away with a zoning system that doesn’t help us produce vibrant, connected communities.
We envision a New Jersey where everyone has an affordable place to live, work, and play in a safe, healthy, vibrant community — regardless of their income, age, or background..
Smart-growth development and redevelopment can help address this crisis by supporting a range of housing types in existing communities to create great neighborhoods.
New Jersey Future drives change through original research and policy advocacy. But we can’t do it alone. That’s why we launched the Great Homes and Neighborhoods for All (GHNA) initiative, fueled by partnerships across sectors. Explore NJF’s resources and learn more about GHNA.
07/16/2025
Navigating New Jersey’s REAL Rules
07/15/2025
When Water Holds Back Housing: What to Expect from New Jersey’s New State Fiscal Year 2026 Intended Use Plans
07/15/2025
Farewell Spotlight: Chris Sturm Retires After 23 Years of Championing a Better New Jersey
07/01/2025
Planning with Purpose: Beth Osborne Calls for Local Leadership and Smart Coalitions
06/30/2025
Building the Future: Actions to Achieve Great Homes and Neighborhoods in New Jersey and Beyond
06/30/2025
“A Historically High Level of Compliance:” New Jersey Towns Are Making Progress in Meeting Their Affordable Housing Targets
06/26/2025
The Road Ahead: Why Housing Trends Will Shape New Jersey’s Future
05/15/2025
More Home Choices for New Jersey: How Accessory Dwelling Units Can Help Solve Our Housing Shortage
03/17/2025
NJF Testimony on S1408 – Conversion of Commercial Properties to Mixed-Use Areas with Affordable Housing
