NEW JERSEY APARTMENT ASSOCIATION COMMENTS ON TODAY’S 

ASSEMBLY HOUSING COMMITTEE HEARING ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING

(TRENTON, NJ) – David Brogan, executive director of the New Jersey Apartment Association (NJAA), provided the following statement on today’s Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee hearing regarding New Jersey’s critical affordable housing demand:

On behalf of our members who own, develop and manage safe and clean rental housing for over one million New Jersey residents, we commend Chairman Wimberly and members of the committee in recognizing that we must address the ongoing affordable housing crisis in New Jersey with actionable and comprehensive solutions. 

Much of the conversation surrounding affordable housing in New Jersey has been about the production of housing. While this is important, any solution must be comprehensive in nature by addressing both the production of affordable housing AND the preservation and rehabilitation of the current affordable housing stock.

Furthermore, of critical importance, is the understanding by lawmakers that ANY mandates that drive up the cost of housing will ultimately thwart our efforts to provide safe, affordable housing to those in need. We thank Chairman Wimberly and members of the committee for tackling this important issue. NJAA and its membership stand ready to work with the legislature and the governor as a partner in developing both meaningful and successful affordable housing policies for our state.

The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee met today at 10:00am in Committee Room 16 in the State House Annex. Representatives from NJAA testified at today’s hearing and the submitted written testimony, which details NJAA’s specific suggested policy solutions, is available. Mr. Brogan is available for further comment.

The New Jersey Apartment Association (NJAA) is the premier trade association representing all facets of the multifamily housing industry, including market rate and affordable housing owners, managers and developers, as well as suppliers. NJAA’s membership owns and manages over 200,000 apartments, providing quality housing to over one million New Jerseyans.  

###