Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman and Community Affairs Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez have announced that developers can now apply for funding to provide affordable housing for NJ FamilyCare members. The Healthy Homes partnership will utilize $95 million to create up to 200 low-rent housing units for those who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or living in an institution under New Jersey’s Medicaid program.
Governor Phil Murphy emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Access to safe, stable, and affordable housing is a necessity that New Jerseyans deserve to see fulfilled, and it directly impacts an individual’s overall health and wellness.” He added that the $95 million allocation through the Healthy Homes Initiative aims to bolster health and housing equity.
Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman noted that inadequate housing is a significant barrier to wellness and can increase healthcare costs. She said, “New Jersey’s Healthy Homes program aims to provide affordable, community-based housing to NJ FamilyCare members in need, which ensures long-term housing stability for tenants and advances health equity.”
Community Affairs Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez highlighted the connection between good housing and improved physical and mental wellness. She urged developers and landlords to apply for funding, saying, “With the New Jersey Healthy Homes program now open, we urge developers and landlords to apply and join in the state’s efforts to build permanent, affordable housing for people of limited financial means.”
The Human Services department will oversee the program's implementation while Community Affairs will support oversight and disburse funds. Developers will be responsible for constructing and maintaining these homes.
Funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act supplemented by state funds from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. It can be used for new construction or renovation of existing units, essential household needs like refrigerators or stoves, as well as ongoing maintenance.
NJ FamilyCare is also adding Housing Support Services coordinated with managed care partners. These services include pre-tenancy support, tenancy sustaining services, home modifications, or transition support.
Authorized by CMS through New Jersey’s Comprehensive 1115 Demonstration Waiver, these services aim to advance whole-person care by addressing both physical/behavioral health challenges along with housing needs.
The Healthy Homes initiative is part of broader plans by Human Services focusing on home- and community-based care through innovative approaches addressing priorities such as integrating behavioral/physical health services and new methods of providing care.
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