HMFA Launches Upgraded New Jersey Housing Resource Center (NJHRC) Website
Searching online for thousands of affordable rental units/properties is now much easier
TRENTON, N.J. – March 17, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) today announced the launch of its new and improved housing locator service, the New Jersey Housing Resource Center (NJHRC), located at www.njhrc.gov. Upgrades include a brand new look and a streamlined user experience, complete with a more refined how-to section and updated housing resources.
The NJHRC, “Where Everyone Can Find a Home,” is a searchable, interactive online housing registry of available units and properties in New Jersey, funded and administered by HMFA, an affiliate of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The award-winning service is FREE to users both seeking and listing various housing—rental, for-sale, affordable, and market-rate.
“We encourage all New Jersey landlords to list their units or properties on the NJHRC and all those searching for housing to visit the NJHRC, which is now easier to use than ever before,” said HMFA Executive Director Anthony L. Marchetta. “It is one of the best housing resources the state offers to all our New Jersey residents.”
To help property owners fill their vacancies with qualified tenants as quickly as possible, the NJHRC website allows property owners to include details about unit amenities (including utilities and accessibility features), neighborhood features (public transit, schools, proximity to shopping and other conveniences), and to view statistics on how often their listings are found and viewed by potential tenants. The site also features a median income calculator and rent affordability tools that help tenants locate properties that they can afford.
“I love it! Tons of tenants call me about units. I use it every time I have a vacancy,” said Karen Clark, a Property Manager from Maplewood.
Since its inception, the NJHRC has helped thousands of families, senior citizens, and individuals with special needs secure affordable housing in New Jersey. The site has performed over 7 million searches since its launch in May 2005. Additionally, it played a critical role in disaster relocation efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy in late 2012 and the recent Avalon Apartments Fire in Edgewater, New Jersey in early 2015.
Over the last decade, the NJHRC has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Council of State Government Innovations Award and the NJ Excellence in Technology Award in the category of “Best Application Serving the Public.”
The NJHRC was created by HMFA to provide a central location for people to search for affordable and accessible housing in New Jersey. HMFA has partnered with the non-profit organization SocialServe.com to maintain the NJHRC website and toll-free call center, and continues to fund and support the website. SocialServe.com is a national provider of housing location services with extensive experience aiding the housing search for states experiencing the effects of natural disasters.
Visit the NJHRC online at www.njhrc.gov (accessible in 72 languages), or via the toll-free phone number 1-877-428-8844 (available in Spanish and English).
Contact:
Tammori Petty
Emike Omogbai
609-292-6055
