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In this Week's Edition
News
Federal Updates
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Advocacy Actions
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NJ's Affordable Housing Law
is Strengthening Communities
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NJHMFA Updates:
Low Income Housing Tax Credit Training
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Lisa Montalbano Appointed as
Ombudsman for Individuals with
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
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Overview of NJ 1115 Waiver Housing Supports
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Housing Lending Momentum Builds in 2026
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Reports Worth Reading
Resources & Events
ICYMI - H.R.1 Eligibility
Redeterminations Webinar
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Law and Disability Conference
June 8, 2026
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Housing Policy Forum
June 9, 2026
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Leading Through Change: Governance,
Coordination, and Inclusive Decision-Making
June 9, 2026
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Virtual Training on HMIS
June 10, 2026
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Using Conversations & Tools
to Build a Person-Centered Life
June 10-16, 2026
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Tools for Energy & Resilience Decision-Making
June 17, 2026
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Transition Thursdays Series
Advocacy: Speak for Yourself
June 18, 2026
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Joint Venture Partnerships for New Jersey Developers
June 22, 2026
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Breakfast Brief: Cyber Threats in Real Estate
June 23, 2026
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Valley in Action:
Community Engagement &
Pathways to Homeownership
June 24, 2026
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SHA Member Events
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Advocacy Committee
July 7 | Virtual
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Developers Meeting
July 13 | Virtual
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SHA Members Housing Supports Program Provider Roundtable
July 20, 2026 | Virtual
11:00AM - 12:00 PM
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SHA Member Meeting
August 5, 2026
Virtual
Not yet a member?
Learn more here.
SHA members can email Joseph Christensen for member event details
and registration.
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Community Events
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LeadingAge NJ & DE
Changemakers Conference
June 16-18, 2026
Registration Open
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30th Annual Governor's Conference on Housing & Economic Development
September 29-30, 2026
Harrah's Resort, Atlantic City
Registration Open
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Save the Date
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CSH Supportive
Housing Week
August 24 - 28, 2026
Sign up for updates.
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The Arc of New Jersey Conference
September 17-18, 2026
Atlantic City
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2026 Monarch Housing Associates Conference
September 23, 2026
DoubleTree, Somerset, NJ
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CHLP 50th
Anniversary Celebration
Oct 22, 2026 | Glen Ridge
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HCDNNJ Under One Roof
Oct 23, 2026
Hyatt, New Brunswick
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SHA Job Board & Housing Opportunities
Follow After News and Events
| | SHA Member Meeting June 2026 Recap | | |
The Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey had a great member meeting this week in Trenton. We appreciate our guest speakers including state partners Michelle Lowe, Chief Field Operations NJ DHS, Division of Family Development, Office of Program Operations, Susan Loughery, MBA, Assistant Commissioner, Division of Behavioral Health Services, NJ Department of Health, Chris Morrison, Acting Assistant Commissioner, Division of Behavioral Health Services, NJ Department of Health, and Amy Scartocci, Assistant Division Director Division of Developmental Disabilities.
Rev. Dr. Semaj Vanzant Sr., Executive Director, New Jersey Faith Action Center shared funding opportunities as faith communities explore housing development. A panel on Housing Solutions Strengthening Community and Preventing Evictions with Funmi Adebajo, MPA, Housing Policy Researcher, Robert Jakubowski, Director, Camden County Community Development, and Phyllis Chamberlain, Executive Director, Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, showed how options including shared housing and landlord engagement could sustain better housing results.
Kate Leahy, Program Manager, Special Projects, SHA provided an update on work in Passaic County following the initial release of the monthly "Housing Help for Passaic County Seniors." Kate Kelly, Executive Director, SHA shared organization updates on the Strengthening Inclusive Leadership Initiative (SILI), and advocacy news. SHA meetings are a key member benefit connecting 120 organizations across NJ. Final presentation slides will be available here: (https://www.shanj.org/past-membership-meetings/)
Not yet a member? Contact Joseph Christensen at j.christensen@shanj.org to learn how to join us!
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Congratulations to The Walters Group, NJHMFA, and collaborators on the grand opening of The Mews at St. Mary, a new 75-unit senior affordable housing property located in Williamstown, New Jersey.
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SHA Welcomes New &
Returning Members in 2026
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SHA returns to The Palace for our
28th Annual Conference!
November 13, 2026
The Palace at Somerset Park
| | SHA Conference Call for Workshop Proposals! | | Help Nominate Excellence in Supportive Housing! | | |
The 28th Annual New Jersey Supportive Housing Awards recognize successful initiatives, and honor the leadership and dedication of outstanding individuals, organizations, and municipalities that increase supportive housing opportunities in New Jersey. The recipients of our awards play a leadership role in the creation of housing that is supportive, accessible, and affordable while maximizing the supportive services available to the residents who need them.
Nomination Forms are now available by clicking here.
Nominations due by July 10, 2026.
| | Sponsor, Exhibit, and Ad Opportunities | | Sponsorships: Promote your organization through tiered visibility opportunities | | |
Ads: Share your message
in the program book or on multiple digital displays around the venue
| | Exhibits: Connect directly with attendees in our expanded exhibit hall | | Contact Your State Legislators: Tell Your State Senator and Assemblymember to support S3103/A1737! By dedicating half the mansion tax to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, we can address NJ's severe shortage of affordable homes and help make our state a place everyone can afford to call home. | | |
The Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (The Network's) Legislative Day returns to the State House in Trenton on June 18! Learn more about the issues affecting NJ's community development sector and solutions the Network is working on to implement current legislative priorities. Click here to register for the Legislative Day.
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NJ's Affordable Housing Law
is Strengthening Communities
| | SHA member Fair Share Housing Center hosted a webinar presentation covering the advances toward affordable housing following landmark legislation. With Rev. Eric Dobson moderating, Adam Gordon, Executive Director, Fair Share Housing Center, Jacquelyn Suarez, Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Mia Sacks, Councilmember, Princeton, and Heather Cooper, Deputy Mayor, Evesham Township shared how the housing conversation is moving toward proactive planning, economic stability, and viewing housing compliance as an opportunity for community revitalization. Among the key points for future progress, focuses on redevelopment, utilizing payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTS), expanding special needs and faith-based housing, and reform land use laws. Heather Cooper referenced SHA as a partner as Evesham Township works toward achievable housing to serve needs of people with disabilities, people who are aging, and veterans. | | |
NJHMFA Updates:
Low Income Housing Tax Credit Training
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Please be advised that the Spring Low Income Housing Tax Credit Training will be held virtually this year on July 28th through July 30th from 9am – noon each day. This training is a 3-day refresher course which may be more suitable for those who are already Tax Credit Certified. Certified Tax Credit Professionals will earn 2026 continuing education credits to satisfy the minimum requirement of six (6) hours annually.
Registration ends on July 17, 2026 | Cost: $450.00 | Payment by Credit Cards Only
REFUND POLICY: No refunds, however substitutions will be permitted.
Please contact Laeuna Chisolm at lchisolm@njhmfa.gov with any questions.
| | Lisa Montalbano Appointed as Ombudsman for IDDO | | TRENTON – Governor Mikie Sherrill announced the appointment of Lisa Montalbano to serve as Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDDO) and their Families. Montalbano will lead the Office of the IDDO dedicated to helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families navigate New Jersey's systems of care and access State resources that facilitate independence and dignity. | | Overview of NJ 1115 Waiver Housing Supports | | In preparation of a new round of Housing Support Program (HSP) provider grants, the NJ Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMHAS), which operates New Jersey's Medicaid services, provides the following slide deck on the HSP. | | Housing Lending Momentum Builds in 2026 | | Lenders anticipate elevated affordable housing activity for the rest of 2026, supported by recent expansions to the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC), including the 25% bond test and the increase in 9% allocations. They also expect strong appetites from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Administration. Agency volume caps for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are set at $88 billion each, a 20% increase over 2025, provides substantial capacity for affordable housing financing. Included among the top 25 lenders featured by Affordable Housing Finance are SHA members, Bank of America, Community Preservation Corporation, M&T Bank and TD Bank. | | |
Local Rent Impacts from Construction
Vary with Quality of Existing Housing
A study published in the Journal of Urban Affairs, “Build baby build? Housing submarkets and the effects of new construction on existing rents,” found that the impact of large newly constructed market-rate apartment buildings on rents of nearby existing properties depended on the quality of those properties. The study found that new market-rate construction was associated with a 4.4% increase in rents in the lowest-priced buildings in the first five years after construction, and a 1.7% decrease in rents for the highest-priced apartments.
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Two Studies Highlighting Benefits
of Residential Services in
Housing Developments
Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF) released two reports documenting the benefits of resident services in affordable housing properties. The first, produced in partnership with Abt Global, demonstrates the benefits to property financial and operating performance. The second emphasizes the improved outcomes for residents. An article by the publication Affordable Housing Finance (AHF) covers these complementary findings.
| | SHA in the Community - Summer 2026 | | Connect with SHA at LeadingAge New Jersey & Delaware's Annual Meeting and Expo in Atlantic City. On Tuesday, June 18, 2026, Kate Kelly, Executive Director joins a panel, "How New Jersey’s Affordable Housing Framework Is Shaping Senior and Supportive Housing," along with Jag Davies, Director of Communications at SHA member Fair Share Housing Center. Also on June 18th, Kate Kelly joins another panel, "How the Medicaid Housing Supports Program (HSP) Helps Older Adults Stayed Housed," with Cassondra Warney, Senior Program Manager at SHA member CSH, and Melissa Regan, Housing Supports Program Manager at SHA member Horizon NJ Health. | | ICYMI - H.R.1 Eligibility Redeterminations Webinar | | |
Under H.R.1, certain Medicaid enrollees will be required to complete eligibility redeterminations every six months — instead of annually — beginning Jan. 1, 2027. The National Council on Mental Wellbeing hosted, "H.R. 1 Eligibility Redeterminations: New Requirements, Timeline and Recommendations," exploring what these changes mean for states and clinics, their potential impact on coverage and operations, and steps organizations can take now to prepare.
Click here to watch the webinar recording.
| | Law and Disability Conference | | | | |
Monday, June 8, 2026
9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
New Jersey Law Center
One Constitution Square
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
The annual Law and Disability Conference is cosponsored by SHA Member Community Health Law Project. This year’s conference will cover key issues including housing, immigration, as well as education and oversight for children with disabilities.
This free event addresses issues related to people who have a disability and their caregivers. Use the link below to register to attend in-person or virtually.
Click here to register to attend either in person or virtually.
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June 9, 2026 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET
SHA member Enterprise Community Partners and JPMorganChase will lead a Housing Policy Forum to bring together experts examining strategies for repurposing federally owned property to increase housing supply and affordability. The discussion will explore policy opportunities, financing considerations, and on-the-ground case studies.
Click here to register for the policy forum.
| | Leading Through Change: Governance,
Coordination, and Inclusive Decision-Making | | |
June 9, 2026 | 3:00 PM ET
This session focuses on how communities lead with courage, clarity, and alignment amid shifting priorities and uncertainty. It explores how CoCs, local governments, and partners organize leadership, make decisions, and stay grounded in a housing-focused strategy. The conversation will highlight governance alignment, data privacy and information sharing, and cross-agency coordination, and accountability. The emphasis is on bold leadership, how to maintain direction, make informed decisions, and keep systems aligned around outcomes, even as external pressures evolve.
Click here to register for this webinar.
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June 10, 2026 | 1:00 - 2:30 PM ET
Join SHA member Camden Coalition for a HMIS deep dive and training session. Learn more about required HMIS touchpoint documentation, common compliance considerations, tips for writing strong case notes, and a live demonstration of the HMIS platform. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions and troubleshoot documentation challenges to help ensure accurate and timely reporting.
Click here to register for the HMIS Training.
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Using Conversations & Tools
to Build a Person-Centered Life
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Using Conversations & Tools to Build a Person-Centered Life is an in-person workshop co-sponsored by DDD and the Rutgers Community Living Education Project (CLEP).
In this workshop, self-advocates, families/caregivers, support coordinators, and providers who support people moving out of a family home, or a nursing facility or other congregate setting, into the community will gain practical tools and skills to support choice and community inclusion. It is being offered on two different dates in two different locations:
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 | 8:30 am to 3:45 pm., Piscataway, NJ (Middlesex County)
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Westampton, NJ (Burlington County)
Click here to register for the training.
| | New Tools for Energy and Resilience Decision-Making | | |
June 17, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET
Join SHA member Community Preservation Corporation (CPC) on June 17th to explore two emerging web-based tools from The Community Preservation Corporation (CPC) and The Clean Fight (TCF). As hazards intensify and decarbonization requirements accelerate, these tools can help both lenders and building owners make informed, cost-effective decisions about energy and resilience investments.
Click here to register for the webinar.
| | Transition Thursdays Series, Advocacy: Speak for Yourself | | |
Friday, June 18, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET
Presented by Michael Fondacaro, Founder of Beyond the Chair, and Ashley Ritchey, Family and Advocate Education Liaison with the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities, this webinar invites you to explore the role of self-advocacy in the transition process. Transition marks the end of school and entrance into to the adult system of care, including the move from pediatric to adult healthcare.
Click here to register for the self advocacy session.
| | Joint Venture Partnerships for New Jersey Developers | | |
June 22, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM ET
Join SHA member CSH for a conversation on Joint Venture Partnerships for New Jersey Developers with special guest Emily Kurtz, Chief Housing and Development Officer at RiseBoro. Emily will share insights, lessons learned, and practical considerations for those exploring or actively engaged in partnership models. As always, we hope for an audience that brings questions you are currently navigating or contemplating in your own work.
ICYMI - Check out an overview of small and medium size supportive housing projects in Monmouth County from SHA Board Member Chris Pugliese from the Affordable Housing Alliance, along with other resources for emerging developers or developers interested in supporting housing.
| | Breakfast Brief: Cyber Threats in Real Estate | | |
Monday, June 23, 2026 | 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Bar Harta (Grayson Hotel), 30 W 39th Street, New York, NY 10018
Join SHA member Withum for a complimentary cybersecurity breakfast and interactive discussion. Over coffee and conversation, Withum’s Cybersecurity Practice Leader will unpack the latest threat trends impacting professional services and offer practical guidance on building resilience. Seats are limited. Registration is complimentary.
Click here to register for the event.
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Valley in Action:
Community Engagement & Pathways to Homeownership
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Virtual | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 | 12:30 - 1:30 PM ET
Join SHA and member Valley Bank for a free Lunch & Learn webinar providing a high-level overview of how Valley actively engages and supports communities they serve through meaningful partnerships and initiatives. The session will also include a presentation from Sofi Cordero on the Journey to Homeownership, highlighting key insights and resources that help individuals and families achieve sustainable homeownership goals.
Email Joseph Christensen to register for webinar access.
| | SHA Job Board & Housing Opportunities | | |
The Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey (SHA) is seeking an Associate Executive Director. This position combines operational, administrative, and policy responsibilities with the opportunity to expand your professional network.
Click here for the full Associate ED description.
How to Apply: Send cover letter and resume to: apply@shanj.org.
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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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