New Jersey Stories | Community Development Digest

Center to Provide Technical Assistance in Four States

The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (DOT) is offering a $190,000 grant for a Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC) in the Mid-Atlantic Region (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware).

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Community Development from Coast to Coast

A quick roundup of development-related news from around the nation.

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NJ Supremes Counter Christie’s Inaction on Affordable Housing

New Jersey lower courts will decide on a case-by-case basis how many units of affordable housing municipalities in the state must provide for low- and moderate-income residents, the state Supreme Court rules.

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Courts May Govern NJ Affordable Housing

Following the failure of New Jersey officials to come to terms with state Supreme Court rulings on establishment of a workable affordable housing development mechanism, the New Jersey Supreme Court considers a suggestion to move enforcement of affordable housing laws from a state agency to the court system.

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New Eminent Domain Fight in Offing

A 67-year-old Atlantic City, NJ homeowner is fighting proposed seizure of his three-story walkup home by the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA).

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NMTCs Help Close ‘Grocer Gap’ in Underserved Neighborhoods

In New Jersey, the lack of access to healthy food in many low-income communities has contributed to significant costs from both a taxpayer and human capital perspective. Studies have shown that obesity rates in New Jersey are over 35% higher for individuals earning less than $15,000 compared to those earning $50,000 or above.

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NJ Wants Feds To Ease Sandy Grant Snags

Despite the more than one year lag in providing victims with aid until HUD can certify homes will be build to federal specifications, homeowners needing shelter began rebuilding on their own before they are approved for a grant from the federally subsidized Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, Elevation & Mitigation Program.

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‘Rebuild by Design’ Teams Unveil Final Proposals

“The proposals delivered by the Rebuild by Design teams demonstrate the importance of enabling professionals and community leaders to work together to solve problems" said Robert Yaro, president of Regional Plan Association. “The plans and partnerships created as a result will help the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut region prepare for a changing climate.”

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NJ Adds $40M Recovery Fund For Low Income Families

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's (R) administration is calling for creating a new Superstorm Sandy recovery fund for low-income families who have not applied for money to repair damaged homes. The announcement comes in the wake of criticism that storm aid has not reached low-income people and minorities.

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New Jersey Housing Rehab Project in the Works

A $3.2 million grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York will help pay for rehabilitation of a 304-unit affordable housing community in Pennsauken, NJ called Sycamore Ridge.

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