Governor Murphy Signs New Affordable Housing Law that Will Help Older New Jerseyans

AARP New Jersey applauds Governor Murphy and the NJ Legislature for expanding access to affordable housing to help older New Jersey residents stay in their homes and communities.

TRENTON, N.J. (Mar. 19, 2024) - AARP New Jersey Director of Advocacy, Evelyn Liebman, provided the following statement:

“We applaud Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Nicholas Scutari, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, and the NJ Legislature for today’s historic enactment of bipartisan legislation (S50/A4) that will expand access to affordable housing to help older New Jersey residents stay in their homes and communities.

“AARP fights to make all our communities great places to live, which means having access to safe, affordable, and accessible housing. The need for more housing choices cuts across city, town, and county boundaries. It isn’t a local matter — it is a statewide problem. We applaud the Governor and Legislature for their work to address this issue.

“AARP is pleased S40/A4 empowers homeowners by allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as affordable housing options. ADUs are independent housing units, typically (but not always) created on single-family lots through remodeling or expanding the existing home or constructed as a detached cottage-like structure. ADUs can play a vital role by providing a housing alternative for older adults who either want to age in place, downsize, or simply provide a place for loved ones to stay.

“The COVID-19 pandemic worsened affordability challenges for many older households that lost income as the economy slowed in 2020. Many older workers lost income during the pandemic, through cuts to their own wages and those of household members, with disproportionate losses among older households of color. This legislation increases the amount of affordable housing that can be earmarked for older residents to 30% and supports solutions that will increase housing supply and housing choices and expand the availability of affordable housing for older residents.”

“We also applaud Senator Troy Singleton, Senate President Nicholas Scutari, Speaker Craig Coughlin, and Assembly members Yvonne Lopez, Benjie Wimberly, and Verlina Reynolds-Jackson for championing this legislation.”

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About AARP New Jersey 
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. AARP New Jersey educates and advocates on behalf of those 50 and older on issues that are important to them, their families and to all Garden State residents. The organization works to strengthen New Jersey communities with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/nj or follow @AARPNJ on social media.