Following the announcement that the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court has ruled the attempt to use the municipal housing trust funds in the State’s General Fund unlawful. The funds that have been protected from seizure will be available for their intended purpose, to help build homes for lower-income families, people with disabilities, and seniors on a fixed income. Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (the Network) Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sharon Barker issued the following statement

Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini is being honored by the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA) for her strong leadership in helping prevent and treat substance use and mental disorders in youth and adults throughout New Jersey. NJAMHAA will present Angelini with the “State Legislative Champion for Improving Treatment Award” on April 15, 2015 at its Compassion Awards Reception in Woodbridge, NJ.

The Morris County Freeholders, for the third consecutive year, have adopted a budget with a zero percent increase in county taxes, while maintaining critical services for county residents.

The unanimous NJ Supreme Court decision regarding the Council on Affordable Housing, has left the non-profit community, special needs and other housing developers wondering what the ruling means for our work and what the next steps might be.

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs today announced that, during the first quarter of 2015, it has issued Notices of Violation to 31 contractors, seeking $397,776.60 in consumer restitution and civil penalties. “The arrival of Spring signals the traditional start of New Jersey’s home improvement season and we are urging consumers to thoroughly review potential contractors before hiring someone to do work on their homes,” Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said.

In the spirit of the Easter season, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno and her son today joined Assemblywoman Donna Simon and the Samaritan Homeless Interim Program (SHIP) to serve Easter meals to individuals and families in need in Somerset County.

The Morris County Improvement Authority (MCIA) has voted unanimously to accept the resignations of its longtime counsel, Stephen Pearlman, and energy consultant Gabel Associates, who both officially notified the Authority tonight that they will resign effective June 1.

With most of the families in the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation, and Mitigation (RREM) Program now in the construction phase, the Christie Administration today announced the State’s Housing Recovery Centers will consolidate in an effort to better meet the ongoing construction needs of participants in the RREM Program and the State’s other housing recovery programs.

The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) today announced that it has received $1.4 million to support New Jersey’s foreclosure prevention counseling efforts through the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program (NFMC). The much-needed funding will enable NJHMFA and its housing counseling partners to provide more foreclosure counseling to area homeowners in danger of foreclosure.

In its continued effort to meet and assist Sandy-impacted families right in their home communities, the Christie Administration today announced that the 14th Information Session will be held Monday, April 6th, in Sayreville, Middlesex County, to provide personal assistance for storm-affected homeowners participating in the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program

-In the Plainfield/Union County, N.J., multi-family market, rent growth and occupancy rates are at their strongest levels in years, according to the brokerage professionals at Gebroe-Hammer Associates, which recently arranged two trades involving a total of 60 units. Gehane Triarsi, area market specialist, reports both buyers plan to render the properties more competitive in a city that had its highest-ever recorded population increase between the 2000 and 2010 census period

Policy experts, non-profit developers and municipal leaders presented testimony today to members of the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee on efforts to revitalize vacant and abandoned properties. Testifiers offered insight on the positive effects the Abandon Properties Rehabilitation Act (APRA) has had on transforming NJ communities and offered feedback to legislators on areas for improvement

DeNeal’s Café & Grill at 40 and 50 Union Avenue Medical/Professional Office Campus recently marked its grand opening on the ground floor of the eight-story, 52,000-square-foot 50 Union Ave., office tower. The café, which is just steps from the adjacent four-story, 20,000-square-foot 40 Union Ave. building, is operated by Alesia Williams, a 17-year food service industry veteran.

Million Dollar Grant Program Creates Opportunities for Nonprofit to Develop Sustainable Communities in Newark NEWARK, NJ - March 27, 2015 - (RealEstateRama) -- New...

Joining the New Jersey Builders Association (NJBA) during its three-day convention and exposition, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno today addressed the Atlantic Builders Convention’s Annual Economic Forecast

Applauding the attendees’ work to strengthen New Jersey’s real estate market, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno joined Bisnow Media this morning for its 4th annual Northern New Jersey State of the Market.

The Morris County Freeholders, by a majority vote, and the Morris County Improvement Authority have agreed to a $7 million settlement of litigation connected to its Solar II renewable energy program.

Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced that Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) located in New Jersey’s 6th District will receive a total of over $1.29 million to help with the operation and management costs associated with public housing developments. The funding, which is awarded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), provides assistance to PHAs to help with the upkeep of public housing. Twelve Housing Authorities throughout the 6th District, in both Middlesex and Monmouth counties, will receive funding.

The new development consists of 120 apartments, including 30 units of permanent supportive housing for homeless families. Partial funding to complete the project is being provided by the Sandy Aid package that Congressman Pallone fought for in Congress.

Based on a resolution approved by a 7-0 vote of the freeholders on Feb. 25, the dedicated tax this year will be set again at 1 cent per $100 of assessed property value and generate about $9 million. The Morris County Park Improvement Tax will receive the first one-quarter cent or approximately $2.2 million. This special tax collection was approved by Morris County voters via referendum in 1998.