Let’s talk about affordable housing and the housing crisis in New Jersey

The housing crisis in New Jersey has reached alarming levels, with communities of color and low-income residents bearing the brunt of soaring costs, predatory practices, and institutional barriers to homeownership. The state now ranks 6th nationally in foreclosure rates, with one foreclosure for every 3,442 housing units – hitting Cumberland, Camden, and Gloucester counties particularly hard.

Recent research from Rutgers University found that nearly 50% of homes sold in Newark went to institutional investors, fueling rapidly rising rents, decreased homeownership, and higher barriers to affordable housing. While new state legislation calls for more than 146,000 affordable housing units over the next decade, many communities continue to struggle with displacement and housing instability.

Join us for an expert discussion on how reporters can cover these critical issues effectively and responsibly, with a focus on data-driven, community-centered, and solutions-oriented approaches.

Date and time:

📅 Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
🕒 Time: 2-3:30 pm ET
📍Location: Zoom/virtual

(Zoom Link will be provided after you register. We will also send the Zoom link directly to your email multiple times before the event begins.)

According to the ATTOM Special Housing Risk Report, New Jersey ranked sixth in the nation for foreclosure rates with one foreclosure for every 3,442 housing units. The highest foreclosure rates were seen in Cumberland, Camden, and Gloucester counties.

New Jersey recently passed legislation to better enforce affordable housing regulations reaching back to the Mount Laurel Decision of 1975. According to the doctrine, “towns are required by law to follow certain rules that safeguard access to affordable housing for low-income families and communities of color.” The new law initially called for the construction or rehabilitation of more than 146,000 residences over the next decade.

A recent Rutgers study found that nearly 50 percent of homes sold in Newark went to institutional investor buyers, which fueled “rapidly rising rents, decreased homeownership, higher barriers to affordable housing production goals, renter displacement, and less stable communities.”

Our expert panel will help journalists understand how to access and interpret housing data, implement best practices for community-centered coverage, and develop solutions-oriented approaches to housing journalism. We’ll explore key policy developments like the Mount Laurel doctrine, examine the role of local and state government, and discuss strategies for covering rent control and eviction protection measures.

Featured topics include the current state of housing inequality, the impact of institutional investors on local markets, the implementation of affordable housing regulations, and community-based solutions and initiatives.

👥 Meet our panelists:

Host: Dana DiFillippo, New Jersey Monitor

Panelists:

• Dr. Julia Nevarez, Ph.D., Kean University
• More panelists TBA

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This event is part of the “Not Your Same Old Sources” (NYSOS) series, featuring experts from our Diverse Sources Database, a publicly available, sortable list of experts of different races and genders, ages, and ethnicities.