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In this Week's Edition
News
HUD Injunction and Advocacy for CoC Funding
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Updates from Trenton,
Transitions and Legislation
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SHA's Policy Priorities for
Housing and Services in NJ
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$4M Grant Opportunity Addressing
Social Isolation Among Older
Adults & Individuals with Disabilities
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Protecting and Expanding
NJ FamilyCare Home and
Community-Based Services
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Major State Investment in Recovery Services
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NJHMFA Updates
Resilient Multifamily Housing
Program Guidelines (RMHP)
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NJ Office of the Veteran Advocate Established
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START Crisis Prevention
& Intervention Program
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Feedback Needed on NJCDD
Five-Year State Plan Draft
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Homeless Shelters are Adapting to Meet the Growing Number of Seniors Among Them
and Advocating for Housing for Seniors
Resources & Events
ICYMI - Enterprise Faith-Based
Development Summit
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Peer Pre-Vocational
Training Information Session
January 12, 2026
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Know Your Rights: Personal Care Assistance
January 16, 2026
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Faith-Based and Mission-Driven
Housing Development
January 28, 2026
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Transform Your Financial Future: Webinar Series for People with Disabilities in NJ
January - April, 2026
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Spring 2026 CSS Training Series
February 2026 - April, 2026
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SHA Member Events
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Developers Meeting
January 12 | Virtual
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SHA Member Meeting
February 4, 2026
Annual Meeting
Virtual
Not yet a member?
Learn more here.
SHA members can email Joseph Christensen for member event details
and registration.
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SHA Members Housing Supports Program Provider Roundtable
Jan. 21st | 12:00 - 1:00pm
Email Kate Kelly to RSVP.
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November 13, 2026
SHA 2026 Conference
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Community Events
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NLIHC Housing
Policy Forum
Registration Open
March 10-13, 2026
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Save the Date
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NJACP Annual Conference
Learn more here.
March 12-13, 2026
Resorts Casino & Hotel
Atlantic City
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NJAMHAA Spring
Conference
Evolving Behavioral Health, Advancing Together
for 75 Years
April 14-15, 2026
Iselin, NJ
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LeadingAge NJ & DE
Changemakers Conference
June 16-18, 2026
| | SHA Job Board & Housing Opportunities | | |
Wayne
Apply by February 24th
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SHA Welcomes New &
Returning Members in 2026
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| As we prepare our annual renewals for membership that will arrive later this month, we appreciate the dedicated support of all our members. Renewals that are completed within 30 days of receipt will be added to our renewing champions list. We also extend our deep thanks to members who supported our conference at the Bronze or higher level in 2025, which included a year of membership in 2026! | | HUD Injunction and Advocacy for CoC Funding | | |
On December 23, 2025, a federal court issued a written preliminary injunction that affects the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Continuum of Care (CoC) funding process. This decision is important for communities, providers, and partners working to prevent and end homelessness.
The court ordered HUD to pause several recent actions related to CoC funding. Specifically, HUD’s decision to cancel the 2024-2025 Continuum of Care and Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has been halted. The court also stopped HUD from moving forward with the new FY 2025 CoC NOFO and from enforcing new conditions or deadlines tied to that NOFO. This order is preliminary and will remain in effect until the court rules on the case.
What this means is that HUD must return to the “status quo” that existed under the FY 2024–2025 NOFO. HUD is required to take steps to process eligible renewal projects for FY 2025 using the FY 2024–2025 NOFO rules. However, the court made clear that this order does not require HUD to award or obligate funds yet.
| | Updates from Trenton, Transitions and Legislation | | Acting Governor Way recently signed affordable housing legislation, S-1277 wGR / A-3363 (Beach, Ruiz/Miller, Reynolds-Jackson, Sampson), which will establish a centralized directory for affordable housing and housing for senior citizens and veterans. This centralized resource will greatly facilitate the sharing of housing opportunities for those in need. | | SHA's Policy Priorities for Housing and Services in NJ | | |
SHA has updated its 2026 Policy Recommendations for Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill and Lt. Governor-elect Dale Caldwell’s Transition Team. We call upon the incoming Sherrill/Caldwell Administration to work with state legislators, members of Congress, fellow advocates, SHA members, families, and consumers to address issues of funding and access for supportive housing and create solutions. Together, we can advance a strong and robust supportive housing industry. The following was submitted to the Sherrill / Caldwell administration in December 2025.
In addition, SHA has a more comprehensive policy position available on our website.
New Jersey residents are encouraged to engage with the Sherrill / Caldwell transition website where you can apply to join the new administration's team, share feedback on state priorities through this survey, and share your ideas. SHA encourages readers to use our new updated policy position documents to give feedback guiding state efforts toward affordable, accessible housing, and services for all.
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$4M Grant Opportunity Addressing Social Isolation
Among Older Adults & Individuals with Disabilities
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(TRENTON) – The NJ Department of Human Services announced that local government and nonprofit entities can apply for grants totaling $4 million to administer the Senior Wellness Pilot Program, designed to strengthen social connections and support for older adults and people with disabilities at risk of social isolation in their communities.
“Older residents and people with disabilities can face a variety of barriers creating and maintaining the social lives and connections they desire. The Senior Wellness Pilot Program will help create opportunities to bolster social inclusion and engagement, so these individuals can avoid isolation, stay connected, and ultimately live more fulfilling lives in their communities,” said Commissioner Sarah Adelman.
Grants are available to government or nonprofit entities to implement new initiatives that improve socialization and support the health and well-being of older adults, individuals with disabilities who are homebound, and residents of institutional settings.
The Department will award grants of up to $250,000 per grantee. The deadline to submit grant proposals is January 13, 2025.
To review the request for proposals, click here.
SHA would welcome the opportunity to be a grant partner in a Senior Wellness Pilot Program project. Please email Kate Kelly at kate.kelly@shanj.org to discuss an opportunity to partner.
| | Protecting and Expanding NJ FamilyCare
Home and Community-Based Services | | |
Most New Jerseyans want to age in their homes and communities, rather than in institutional settings like nursing facilities. To remain living at home and active in their communities, many people need help with personal care and other assistance. Medicaid, not Medicare, is the main payer for these types of supports, known as Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). In New Jersey, NJ FamilyCare supports nearly 90,000 older adults and people with disabilities living in the community through its HCBS programs.
The availability and extent of HCBS coverage, however, can be uncertain. This is because under federal law, states have the option to provide these services, but they are not required to do so. As a result, during budget shortfalls, whether caused by federal Medicaid funding cuts, a recession, or other financial challenges, states frequently consider reducing optional benefits like HCBS to balance their budgets.
This fact sheet provides an overview of HCBS in New Jersey and their vital role in supporting the health and well-being of older adults and disabled people, and makes the case for why New Jersey must commit to maintaining and expanding these vital supports in spite of federal and other fiscal threats. SHA members including Disability Rights New Jersey and The Boggs Center on Disability and Human Development created this fact sheet.
| | Major State Investment in Recovery Services | | |
Governor Phil Murphy announced the allocation of nearly $50 million from New Jersey’s Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund to support critical programs, connect New Jerseyans with tools to reduce overdoses and other harms of substance use, and support residents’ treatment and recovery. The new $47.84 million allocation includes a mix of expansions to evidence-based programs, capital investments to serve more patients, family health-focused innovative programs, and strategic planning initiatives including the following highlights:
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Housing Continuum Expansion – $10.5 million over three years to establish new housing and wraparound services for medically complex individuals in Essex County, including 20 housing slots, case management, provider certification and training, and drop-in center capacity building.
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Keeping Families Together Expansion - $4.86 million over three years to support 30 to 35 additional families and address rising housing costs in this nationally recognized Housing First supportive housing model.
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NJHMFA Updates
Resilient Multifamily Housing Program Guidelines (RMHP)
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Program Overview:
Through this program, the State will address unmet housing recovery needs by providing financial assistance for Tropical Storm Ida recovery, resiliency projects, and climate change adaptations.
1. Reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of loss of life, injury, damage to and loss of property, and suffering and hardship by lessening the impact of future disasters
2. Recover from the disaster impacts of Tropical Storm Ida
3. Protect publicly funded recovery investments in the impacted community
Eligible properties can receive a maximum of $3.5 million per project, subject to the availability of funds. Please see the guidelines on the Agency’s website. Applications will be available in January 2026.
Questions?
Please do not hesitate to contact our office with any inquiries regarding this announcement. Please email RMHP@njhmfa.gov for further assistance.
| | NJ Office of the Veteran Advocate Established | | START Crisis Prevention & Intervention Program for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Needs | | NJ DHS Commissioner Sarah Adelman announced the official launch of a new START program to provide evidence-based, community crisis prevention and intervention services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and co-occurring mental health needs. The START (Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources, and Treatment) Model is now active in 11 counties across New Jersey: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Salem. The program is operated by YAI (Young Adult Institute) under a $3.2 million contract awarded by Human Services’ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). | | Feedback Needed on NJCDD Five-Year State Plan Draft | | |
Following a comprehensive review and analysis of issues affecting people with IDD and their families, including input from families, people with IDD, and other stakeholders; and in accordance with federal rules concerning the work of the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities, the NJCDD voted on November 12 to approve and publish for public comment the draft Goals and Objectives for the five-year State Plan for 2027–2031.
Five-Year State Plan Plain Language Plan Version Plan Background
NJCDD is seeking public comment on the posted draft of the five-year State Plan.
Individuals and organizations who wish to provide written comments may do so in one of
the following ways.
- Completing a survey (available in multiple languages)
- Sending an email to njcdd@njcdd.org
All comments must be submitted by January 15, 2026.
Please note that the deadline for mailed comments to be considered was December 31, 2025. Surveys and emails may be completed up until January 15, 2026.
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Homeless Shelters are Adapting to
Meet the Growing Number of Seniors Among Them
and Advocating for Housing for Seniors
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Seniors are the fastest-growing homeless population across the nation. Now, some shelters are trying to make it easier to accommodate the elderly. The following story shared by NPR is reported by Aaron Bolton from Montana Public Radio during a visit to one facility built for medically vulnerable people.
Older adults are the fastest-growing group among people experiencing homelessness and an increasingly larger share of people in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). In 2022, seniors age 55 and over comprised 40% of PSH residents. HUD’s efforts to slash funding for PSH would therefore disproportionately harm older adults.
Litigation over HUD’s plan is pending, but Congressional advocacy is still crucial. Contact Congress today to urge them to protect funding for PSH and the CoC program. It is critical for lawmakers to know that aging and disability advocates are invested in this issue.
- Tell lawmakers that HUD’s plan will take away housing from older adults and people with disabilities.
- Ask Congress to include a no-cost provision in upcoming spending bills that would renew CoC grants expiring in 2026 for a 12-month period. Doing so will delay HUD’s harmful plan and ensure stability in the CoC program next year.
| | ICYMI - Enterprise Faith-Based Development Summit | | |
SHA member Enterprise Community Partners marked the 20th year of the Partners Faith-Based Development Initiative continues to harness the power of faith communities to create and preserve affordable housing and community assets nationwide. The 2025 summit brought together developers, clergy, policymakers, academics, training and capital providers to spotlight real-world lessons from faith-based development projects, while offering tools, insights, and inspiration to strengthen this growing movement.
Click here to watch the summit and access the slides.
| | Peer Pre-Vocational Training Information Session | | |
January 12, 2026 | 12:00 PM ET
SHA member Mental Health Association in NJ's Career Connections Employment Resource Institute (CCERI) has created a pilot project to provide a “peer to peer” focused certification training program. The goal is to provide peers- currently working in the system- a 20-hour training to offer specific skills, resources, and ongoing technical assistance to support induvial seeking employment. On Wednesday, January 12th, CCERI will be holding a webinar designed for both interested peers and supervisors to learn more about the full project- and the commitment required to participate. As a pilot project MHANJ will be seeking input from both participant students and organizations as the training and project implementation develops.
Click here to register.
| | Know Your Rights: Personal Care Assistance | | |
January 16, 2026 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET
Join staff from SHA member Disability Rights New Jersey as they share important information about Personal Care Assistance (PCA) - everything from eligibility criteria to beneficiary’s rights through the application and appeals process. PCA provides critical support to enable people with disabilities to have the assistance needed to perform daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and eating, as well as enhance independence and dignity, ensure safety, and improves quality of life.
Click here to register.
| | Faith-Based and Mission-Driven Housing Development | | |
January 28, 2026 | 1:00 PM ET
Join LISC Housing for a national webinar showcasing effective strategies and lessons learned from more than a decade of faith-based and mission-driven housing development work. This session explores how faith-based organizations are playing a growing role in expanding affordable housing across the country. Drawing on best practices from LISC’s partnerships with congregations and other mission-driven organizations, participants will learn how faith institutions are leveraging land, capital, and community trust to drive equitable development.
Who Should Attend:
Faith-based leaders, mission-driven developers, community partners, local officials, and anyone interested in expanding affordable housing through values-driven partnerships.
Click here to register for the webinar.
| | Spring 2026 CSS Training Series | | |
Registration is open for the Spring 2026 CSS 9-Week training series. This training is for CSS direct care staff, clinicians, and RNs who have never taken the 9-week CSS training through the Rutgers School of Health Professions (SHP). Prior to training starting in February, participants will complete orientation modules on Canvas. Registration closes on January 26, 2026.
Click here to register for a training series:
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Tuesdays, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm ET
February 3, 2026 - March 31, 2026
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Wednesdays 12:30 - 3:30 pm ET
February 4, 2026 - April 1, 2026
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Transform Your Financial Future:
Webinar Series for People with Disabilities in New Jersey
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Building financial wellness is about more than managing money. It’s about creating independence, stability, and opportunity. National Disability Institute (NDI), supported by the New Jersey Inclusive Healthy Communities (NJ-IHC) project, is hosting a four-part webinar series for people with disabilities, their families, and community partners across New Jersey. Each session focuses on essential topics, including the foundations of financial empowerment, navigating Social Security benefits, and managing the extra costs of disability. Join subject matter experts to gain practical strategies that support financial inclusion and economic stability.
Here are additional resources on ABLE savings/investment accounts and more information can be found from SHA's 2025 Conference where NDI presented during Pathways to Homeownership and Lasting Financial Security.
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ABLE NRC Flier | ABLE Veteran Flier | ABLE Age Adjustment Fact Sheet
Click here to register for the series.
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Session One:
Why Financial Empowerment Matters/Financial Inclusion 101
January 28, 2026: 1pm-2pm ET
This session introduces concepts around economic empowerment and financial wellness, highlighting how understanding and managing personal finances is a critical step toward achieving independence.
Session Two:
Five Key Strategies to
Achieving Financial Wellness
February 25, 2026: 1pm-2pm ET
This webinar will explore strategies that support the financial well-being of people with disabilities. You'll learn how identifying personal financial goals is a critical first step—and how each strategy can help individuals build financial stability, increase independence and create opportunities for wealth building.
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Session Three:
Review of Benefits from
the Social Security Administration
March 25, 2026: 1pm-2pm ET
This session will provide an overview of the disability programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and how working is a choice, which can lead to financial stability for persons with disabilities. Learn to separate myths from facts, Medicare and Medicaid and more.
Session Four:
Extra Costs of Living with a Disability/Dispelling Myths
April 29, 2026: 1pm-2pm ET
Our final session will examine out-of-pocket costs associated with living with a disability. These expenses can strain household finances and increase the risk of poverty for individuals with disabilities and their families.
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There are many great ways of supporting SHA: Join as a member or send donations.
Thank you for your support!
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Want all the member benefits with SHA? Visit our website or contact Joseph Christensen to apply or manage your membership.
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Members can post jobs to find applicants within the wider supportive housing community. Click on the button to visit our job page.
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Advocate ● Educate ● Support
The Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey unites its diverse coalition of members to advance, promote, and increase supportive housing opportunities across New Jersey. Since 1998, our statewide mission seeks to enhance lives and accessibility to enable independent living within our communities.
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Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey
185 Valley Street, South Orange, NJ 07079
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