Housing & Community Development Network of NJ

Network members interested in hosting Community Scholars should join our virtual Host Informational Session tomorrow at 11AM to learn more about how to participate in the program.

Register here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2026 Healthy Homes & Communities Summit!

Join us for this year's virtual Summit for thoughtful discussion, information, and resources to help create healthy homes and communities for all NJ residents. www.hcdnnj.org/healthyhomes...

Camden Food Fund Deploys $220,000 to Strengthen Local Food Entrepreneurs at Toast to Growth Celebration The Camden Food Fund (CFF) is continuing to deploy capital in Camden. The CFF, a fund at the Community Foundation of South Jersey (CFSJ), made four new investments in Camden City food businesses that ...

From the Community Foundation of South Jersey: Camden Food Fund Deploys $220,000 to Strengthen Local Food Entrepreneurs at Toast to Growth Celebration www.linkedin.com/pulse/camden...

Congratulations to Vice-President of Policy & Advocacy Matthew Hersh on celebrating 7 years with HCDNNJ! 🎉

Happening this weekend! HCDNNJ Vice President of Policy & Advocacy Matthew Hersh joins Housing Initiatives of Princeton for a discussion on housing policy advocacy.

NEWS RELEASE 🗞️

HCDNNJ Applauds Sherrill Transition Team’s Affordable Housing Report

"It was reassuring to see that input from Network staff & board members was taken seriously, particularly about the AHTF’s essential role in producing new homes." tinyurl.com/SherrillTransitionReport

Congratulations to our Policy & Organizing Associate, Chelsea FrancoMartin, on celebrating your third work anniversary! 👏

New NETWORK VOICES 🗣️

Advocacy Matters: Recent Wins Worth Celebrating
by Arnold Cohen, Senior Policy Advisor

"We know that there is no winning if we don’t at least try. Advocacy does work, and I’m proud to share some recent wins." hcdnnjnetworkvoices.blogspot.com/2026/02/advo...

Last night, Piscataway voted to impose control over hotel/motel stays, a harmful practice that will make it more difficult for our neighbors to be safely & stably sheltered. Despite this disappointing setback, we will continue to fight to preserve the rights of our most vulnerable community members.

The Piscataway Township Council is expected to hold a vote TONIGHT on an ordinance to limit hotel/motel stays.

Limiting hotel/motel stays does not solve homelessness or improve public safety.

Join us in telling Council members to vote NO on this proposal: tinyurl.com/housingnotcu...

ICYMI: The Network is seeking proposals from qualified real estate developers with demonstrated experience in non-profit & affordable housing development for a unique opportunity to re-develop underutilized parcels.

Due Date: February 28
Read more: tinyurl.com/HCDNNJRFP

Join HCDNNJ in telling the Piscataway Mayor & Council: HOUSING, NOT HANDCUFFS! actionnetwork.org/letters/housingnocuffspway/

“As domestic violence survivor advocates, experienced housing professionals, supportive housing & reentry service providers, & others concerned about homelessness & community safety, we believe that the proposed ordinance will result in significant harm.”
tinyurl.com/housingnotcuffspwayNR

The FHLBNY is preparing for the 2026 round of its Affordable Housing Program (AHP) General Fund, which will open on Monday at 8:30AM. HCDNNJ will host a webinar THURSDAY at 10AM with FHLBNY staff to help Network members prepare.

Members can contact info@hcdnnj.org to register.

We're pleased to announce that @kim.senate.gov will be LIVE during our Network In The Know briefing taking place this Friday, 2/6 at 11am!

Network members in good standing can sign up now to hear directly from Sen. Kim on all the latest happening in DC & his priorities for #NJ.

Join HCDNNJ Vice President of Policy & Advocacy Matthew Hersh for this discussion on housing policy advocacy with Housing Initiatives of Princeton.
princetonlibrary.libnet.info/event/15739493

This #BlackHistoryMonth we recognize and celebrate Black Americans' many achievements throughout history, particularly when it comes to advancing housing justice.

HCDNNJ joins @nlihc.org in calling on Congress to separate DHS funding from funding for HUD and other necessary federal agencies to prevent another government shutdown.

Take action with NLIHC here: nlihc.quorum.us/campaign/814...

#NLIHC condemns the use of deadly force by federal immigration enforcement agents. NLIHC calls on Congress to immediately:
🚨Separate the DHS funding bill from remaining FY26 funding &
🚨Halt all funds for ICE and CBP

Read more: https://mailchi.mp/nlihc/cta_defund-ice_and_cbp?e=ab27b4f987

Join us Friday at 11AM for Faith2Foundations: Faith-Based Assets as Affordable Housing Solutions!

Register here: tinyurl.com/Faith2FdnWebinar

Congratulations to HCDNNJ alumnus Eashwayne Haughton, a former Network Community Scholar, on his appointment to Governor Sherrill's staff as Director of Legislative Affairs 👏

#ICYMI Big policy win! 🏆

Thank you to Gov. Murphy for signing Code Red into law!

Join us 1/30 at 11AM for Faith2Foundations: Faith-Based Assets as Affordable Housing Solutions.

Hear about the steps faith-based institutions can take to begin their affordable housing development journey and how the Network &our partners can assist.

Register here: tinyurl.com/Faith2FdnWebinar

Request for Proposal (RFP)

HCDNNJ is seeking proposals from qualified real estate developers with demonstrated experience in non-profit & affordable housing development for a unique opportunity to re-develop underutilized parcels.

Due Date: February 28

Read more: tinyurl.com/HCDNNJRFP

Code Red legislation was passed unanimously in the NJ Assembly. A monumental win for our #HouseNJ campaign!

Thank you to all of our friends & allies helping to get this across the finish line 👏

NEWS RELEASE 🗞️
Assembly Committee Advances Life-Saving Code Red Protections

"Advocates are now calling on all Assemblymembers to vote in favor of S2346/A2258 when it comes to the floor & urging @govmurphy.bsky.social to sign the bill into law without delay."
READ: tinyurl.com/CodeRedPassesCommittee

"The Network launched the latest phase of its campaign to restore the AHTF with a new billboard along Rt. 29 into Trenton. The billboard reads: 'Tell Gov. Murphy & NJ Legislators: Fully Fund The Affordable Housing Trust Fund!' & directs viewers to HouseNJ.org."

READ MORE: tinyurl.com/FixtheAHTF

The #NJ Assembly Appropriations Committee will consider S2346/A2258 which would create Code Red protections ☀️

Join us this Thursday at 11:30am for the Assembly Appropriations hearing in Committee Room 11, 4th Fl, State House Annex in Trenton. #HouseNJ
actionnetwork.org/letters/pass...

NEWS RELEASE 🗞️

Housing Advocates, Legislators Urge Full Restoration of AHTF, End to Criminalization of Homelessness, & Statewide Code Red Protections

“Housing is a human right, & we will not get that right unless we fight for it." -Staci Berger
Read more: tinyurl.com/PassHousingProtections2025

Thank you to Sen. Britnee Timberlake and Asm. Reginald Atkins for joining us at today's press event to talk about pending bills to create Code Red protections and a Homeless Bill of Rights.