Community at the Core is the official podcast of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), where we explore the heart of what makes our neighborhoods thrive—people. Each episode highlights voices from across the state who are making an impact in big and small ways, from every background and walk of life. Whether they’re public sector employees, advocates, volunteers, or passionate residents, our guests share personal stories, professional insights, and powerful reflections on what community means to them. Join us as we celebrate the work being done to build stronger, more connected communities, because at the core of it all is community.

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NJHOMES Helps Municipalities Develop Affordable Housing that Aligns with Community Needs and Character

The New Jersey Housing Opportunities for Municipal Equity and Success (NJHOMES) initiative helps municipalities develop affordable housing that is tailored to each neighborhood's specific needs. NJHOMES will provide financial resources through the Launchpad program, training, technical assistance, and web-based tools to guide municipalities on effective ways to create affordable housing, build neighborhood engagement, and select housing that is the right fit for their community.

Ten municipalities were recently selected for the first cohort of the NJHOMES Launchpad program, which provides funding to support municipal housing staff, technical assistance, mentorship, and select access to pre-development funding. 

The initiative brings DCA experts and local officials together to create affordable housing that is community-supported and sustainable. The use of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) was a priority innovation to be explored in the program. More than half of the municipalities will include them in their plans. 

NJHOMES Launchpad Recipients

• East Amwell Township
• City of East Orange
• Township of Evesham
• Fairfield Township
• Borough of Far Hills
• Township of Mendham
• Township of Montclair
• Borough of Palisades Park
• City of Salem
• Stafford Township

Learn More About NJHOMES

New Eviction Defense Tool Available for New Jersey Tenants

DCA released a new interactive guide that walks tenants through New Jersey’s eviction process. The new guide helps explain New Jersey’s landlord-tenant laws clearly and concisely, allowing tenants to better understand their rights and obligations as renters, maneuver the eviction process, and prepare for court.

The guide is particularly useful because of its interactive features. By asking just a few yes-or-no questions, the tool evaluates the unique situation facing each tenant before providing advice and resources tailored to their circumstances. DCA’s guide also connects tenants to resources in their county so that they may receive immediate assistance with case management, social services support, rent arrears, relocation, and legal advice or representation.

Access the New Jersey Eviction Guide: https://evictionguide.nj.gov

Read the press release

Bringing Veterans Home Initiative Off to a Promising Start

Collaborating with federal and county partners, more than 1,300 veteran households experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness have been stably housed through the Bringing Veterans Home initiative since January 2025. This is a meaningful accomplishment toward reaching the initiative’s goal of reducing veteran homelessness to functional zero by July 1, 2026.

Functional zero means stably housing all veterans and strengthening the State’s homelessness prevention system so that any newly homeless veteran can be placed in stable housing within one month.

The Bringing Veterans Home initiative coordinates efforts between DCA’s Office of Homelessness Prevention, the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA), federal partners at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and multiple veterans service organizations.

Click Here for More Information on Bringing Veterans Home

Office of Information Privacy Registers More than 10,000 Covered Persons

We're proud to announce that the Office of Information Privacy (OIP) has reached a major milestone in the State's ongoing commitment to protecting the personal information of at-risk public employees. More than 10,000 individuals are now designated as “covered persons,” safeguarding their home addresses from public disclosure across government records and websites.

Established in 2022, the Office of Information Privacy was created to implement Daniel’s Law, which protects the residential addresses of active, formerly active, or retired judicial officers, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and child protective investigators, whose roles may place them or their families at risk. The law, named in memory of Daniel Anderl, the late son of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas, ensures greater security and peace of mind for public employees who serve on the front lines of justice and public safety.

For more information on the Office of Information Privacy, eligibility requirements, and how to apply for protection under Daniel’s Law, please visit: https://www.nj.gov/dca/oip

DCA Announces $1.5 Million in Main Street New Jersey Transformation Grants

The Main Street New Jersey (MSNJ) Program helps municipalities improve the economy, appearance, and image of their central business districts through the organization of local citizens and resources. Municipalities must apply and meet the program’s requirements to be selected to join the MSNJ Program, which was established in 1989. These designated communities receive technical support and training from DCA to assist in restoring their main streets as centers of economic and social activity.

The purpose of the MSNJ Transformation Grants is to financially assist efforts aimed at enhancing the appearance, quality of life, and local commerce in designated MSNJ districts. The projects must occur within the boundaries of the designated MSNJ district. 

This is the seventh year in a row that DCA has distributed funding to MSNJ districts. In that time, the program has awarded approximately $7 million in grants to MSNJ district organizations.

Learn more about the grant recipients.

Local Efficiency Achievement Program Grant Awards Help Promote and Accomplish Shared Services Initiatives

DCA announced Local Efficiency Achievement Program (LEAP) grant awards for fiscal year 2025, totaling $5,922,935, which will provide financial assistance to local government entities such as counties, municipalities, school districts, authorities, and fire districts across the State of New Jersey to identify, study, and implement shared services initiatives. The program, which is administered by DCA’s Division of Local Government Services (DLGS), is aimed at encouraging towns to incorporate shared service agreements into their management strategies to increase governmental efficiency, enhance community services, and help save taxpayer dollars.

To encourage and support local governments’ interest in shared services, DLGS established the Local Assistance Bureau (LAB), which provides technical assistance to local officials for each step of the shared services process from identification through implementation. The LAB team is comprised of former municipal professionals who possess the expertise and accumulated knowledge, skill sets, and insights to bring an inventive and skilled outlook to the field of municipal shared services. Staffing expertise ranges from police, fire, emergency management services, municipal court, finance, business administrators/managers, and public works.

Read the press release.

Division of Fire Safety Partners with Kidde to Provide Local Departments with Smoke/CO Alarms 

In response to the devastating wildfires that swept across New Jersey this spring, the Division of Fire Safety was contacted by representatives from Kidde, one of the nation’s leading fire safety product manufacturers, to offer assistance. Their generous support resulted in a shipment of combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, now being distributed to fire departments throughout the state.

“This donation is part of our Cause For Alarm campaign, which focuses on supporting at-risk communities with alarm donations and free educational resources,” said Stephanie Berzinski, Senior Manager of Communications at Kidde. “We’re honored to support New Jersey communities and help save more lives.”

Above: Division of Fire Safety’s Charles Lavin drops off smoke alarms to Rich Maher of Neptune City Fire Department.

State Fire Marshal Rich Mikutsky (center) delivers smoke and CO alarms to South Essex Fire Department Chief Joe Alvarez and his staff.

DCA's Neighborhood Programs Unit Hits the Road

DCA's Neighborhood Programs Unit (NPU is made up of the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit program (NRTC), Neighborhood Preservation program, and Community Development Block Grant program. These impactful programs provide funding to municipalities to help with economic development, housing rehabilitation and neighborhood revitalization to acquire, rehabilitate and sell foreclosed/vacant properties in targeted neighborhoods and to improve distressed neighborhoods via partnership with nonprofit organizations and contributing companies.

New Brunswick

The NPU team took to the road to visit a site on Livingston Avenue South in New Brunswick to wrap up the review of the NRTC Neighborhood Plan submitted by New Brunswick Tomorrow. President Jaymie Santiago, Senior Director Charles Bergman, key New Brunswick Tomorrow staffers, and planning consultant Jason Rowe met the NPU team to discuss the neighborhood plan and tour the neighborhood. Residents, local business owners, and community leaders, including Councilman Manuel J. Castañeda, attended in support of the plan and New Brunswick Tomorrow, which, true to its motto, is “Moving People Forward” in the city’s Esperanza NRTC neighborhood.  

Trenton

The NPU team joined the Trenton Health Team for a tour of the Battle Monument neighborhood, where the effects of long-term disinvestment are apparent. In the Donnelly Homes and the Humboldt-Sweets area, abandoned housing units and vacant lots neighbor many occupied homes in need of long-deferred maintenance. On Sweets Avenue and Sanford Street, many lots have already been cleared; the Neighborhood Plan includes the demolition of 250 or more blighted homes to make way for new affordable and mixed-income housing. Trenton Health Team has rehabilitated several homes on or near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, a central corridor that includes schools, churches, and small businesses. The plan will further the organization's efforts to assist long-term residents, including seniors and grandparents raising children, to remain safely in their homes. Trenton Health Team is committed to building trust with residents and delivering results with NRTC funding.

Cape May

Accessibility mats have been installed along the entire length of Cape May City’s beach. Mobility-challenged beach goers may request grant-funded beach wheelchairs and assistance getting to the beach.  

“The DCA grants that we’ve received have been so important to the city of Cape May, because they’ve allowed us to do these projects that we wouldn’t be able to do otherwise,” said Cape May Mayor Zachary Mullock. The mile-and-a-half ADA beach-walk is a standout. “We have families now that are experiencing the beach that haven’t experienced it maybe ever, and sometimes in decades,” he added. 

Top: Esperanza housing stock rehabilitated by New Brunswick Tomorrow.

Middle: New Brunswick Charter School and Battle Monument housing stock in need of rehabilitation

Bottom: Cape May Mayor Mullock shows Cape May beach mats

Bringing DCA to You — One Event at a Time

At the Department of Community Affairs, we believe that resources are most powerful when they’re within reach. That’s why our teams have been hitting the road, connecting with residents at local fairs, festivals, and public events across New Jersey. From housing assistance to energy relief programs, we're proud to meet people where they are and share the support that strengthens our communities.

These are just a few of the friendly faces you might spot at a DCA table near you, ready to answer questions, offer guidance, and lend a helping hand.

Consolidated Landlord Tenant Page

On the consolidated landlord tenant page, you'll find tools and guidance to help landlords and tenants navigate rental housing. You’ll find information about leases, security deposits, and eviction procedures, along with links to mediation services, financial assistance programs, and housing code enforcement resources. These materials are designed to support fair practices and help maintain safe, stable housing across the state.

Visit the resource page.

DCA Data Hub

The Data Hub is an online portal offering easy access to DCA’s public information, such as data on local government, fire safety, housing, amusement rides, licenses and registrations, and disaster recovery. The new Data Hub, for the first time, enables users to find relevant datasets and resources by entering a search term. Users can also browse for datasets by categories, such as housing, economic development, taxes, and local government, as well as filter datasets by type and category.

Visit the Data Hub.

DCA Programs Book

DCA launched the DCA Programs Book, a tool that includes the various resources and program opportunities available through the Department, dependent on funding availability. DCA provides a diverse range of programs and services that respond to issues of public concern in New Jersey. The Programs Book will assist residents, local governments, and private partners in easily accessing program and staffing information to address their needs. 

Access the Programs Book in English and Spanish.

Daniel's Law Portal

Daniel’s Law was enacted in response to the tragic death of Daniel Anderl, the son of United States District Court Judge Esther Salas and Mark Anderl. The law prohibits disclosure of the residential addresses of certain persons covered by the law (“Covered Persons”) on websites controlled by state, county, and local government agencies. Covered Persons under the law include active, formerly active, and retired judicial officers, prosecutors, and members of law enforcement and their immediate family members residing in the same household. The portal can be accessed at: www.DanielsLaw.nj.gov.

Covered Persons, and those whom the law defines as "Authorized Persons," can submit a request through the Daniel’s Law portal. An Authorized Person is a person who is permitted to request this protection on behalf of a Covered Person, and includes parents or legal guardians of Covered Persons as well as other legally designated individuals.

For more information about the Office of Information Privacy, which administers Daniel’s Law, please visit the OIP website or email oip@dca.nj.gov.

Utility Assistance is Available

DCA has several programs that help New Jersey households in need with basic resources, such as heating assistance, to promote long-term physical well-being. These programs include LIHEAP, which is a federal program that helps households at or below 60 percent of the state median income ($96,165 a year for a family of four) pay for energy costs (electric, gas, deliverable fuels and those included in rent), and the Universal Service Fund (USF) program, which provides a monthly credit on electric and gas bills for households at or below 60 percent of the state median income. To qualify for USF, the household must pay more than 2 percent of its annual income for electric or natural gas. If a household has electric heat, it must spend more than 4 percent of its annual income on electricity to be eligible.

Visit DCAid to see if you are eligible.

Eligibility Screening Tool for DCA Programs

"DCAid" is an eligibility screening tool designed to help New Jersey residents find available DCA housing-related and utility assistance programs for which they may qualify. The completely anonymous eligibility screening process is user-friendly and takes only 1-2 minutes to complete. Visit DCAid for more information.

Free Technical Assistance Available for Local Governments

Need assistance with planning services including master plans and redevelopment plans, land use planning and mapping, economic development plans or special municipal projects?

DCA's Office of Local Planning Services (LPS) has made an ongoing commitment to provide FREE technical assistance to local governments.

Interested municipalities can email lpsmail@dca.nj.gov.

First Generation Homebuyer Program

New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency’s (NJHMFA) First Generation Homebuyer Program provides qualified homebuyers with $7,000 toward down payment and/or closing costs. The First Generation Homebuyer program must be paired with an NJHMFA first mortgage loan and the Down Payment Assistance Program (DPA).

When coupled with the NJHMFA DPA, it provides qualified homebuyers with up to $22,000 toward down payment and/or closing costs based upon the county of the property being purchased. The DPA is a forgivable loan with no interest and no monthly payments for eligible homebuyers purchasing a home in New Jersey. The First Generation Homebuyer DPA is forgiven if the borrower resides in the premises as his/her principal residence for five years from the loan closing date and does not refinance or otherwise convey the first mortgage.

The First Generation Homebuyer Program is one of many NJHMFA programs that assist prospective homebuyers. Click Here for More Information.

Think You May Have Lead in Your Older Home?

Lead-based paint in buildings poses serious health risks, particularly for children who may ingest paint chips or inhale lead-contaminated dust. The New Jersey Lead Remediation and Abatement program (LRAP), funded by a $180 million federal grant, aims to address this issue by supporting the removal of lead-based hazards from low- to moderate-income households.

Households with incomes at or below 80 percent of the area median income for the county in which the municipality is situated, residing in one to ten-unit family residential properties constructed prior to 1978, are eligible.

There are dangers to having lead-based paint in buildings. Lead is toxic, especially to children and can potentially cause permanent health issues.

Untreated, lead-based paint may lead to complications such as:

• Irreversible brain damage
• Kidney/liver damage
• Infertility
• Nervous system damage
• Seizures

Visit leadabatement.nj.gov to see if you're eligible.

**NEW** Municipal Housing Profile Dashboard

The Municipal Housing Profile Dashboard is an interactive tool that offers detailed data on housing conditions, costs, production, needs, and households in New Jersey. The dashboard also provides eviction filing and warrant of removal data at the zip code level for 2022 through 2024.  

Users can select a municipality and generate a custom summary of key data 

points for their selection. They can also generate data summaries by county, legislative district, and housing region. The dashboard makes it easy for the public to access key data regarding the housing in their communities. 

The dashboard aggregates data from DCA’s Division of Codes and Standards, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the 2025 Point-in-Time Homeless Count, and the Administrative Office of the Courts to present a complete picture of housing needs and the housing stock in every municipality. The data sources on the dashboard will be updated annually.  

Access the Dashboard

Potential Lead Exposure Mapping Tool

The Potential Lead Exposure Mapping, or PLEM tool, provides new publicly available data that indicate potential sources of lead exposure.

The tool may be used by local health officers, community groups, and other members of the public to help identify the potential sources of lead exposure. The PLEM tool also will have multiple uses that will be phased in over time. Phase 1 will look specifically at lead paint in housing as a source of exposure while future phases will examine other indicators of childhood blood lead poisoning risk.

The tool provides maps and information on the homes most likely to contain lead. It also displays residential parcels categorized by construction year, based on New Jersey's statewide parcel dataset (MOD-IV) and a breakdown of housing age by municipality.

Over the past several decades, health experts have identified best practices for minimizing potential lead exposure. The mapping tool, for example, points users to the multiple programs in New Jersey aimed at reducing potential lead exposure, first identifying existing state initiatives, and then outlining suggested community-level and individual actions.

Access the Mapping Tool Here.

DCA Community Asset Map

The Community Asset Map is an interactive mapping tool that makes it possible to see the characteristics and amenities of each of New Jersey's 564 communities. Municipal leaders, businesses, and even homeowners can use the Community Asset Map to help make strategic development and investment decisions that will benefit their communities.

The mapping tool provides overlay options that allow users to view valuable economic, local planning, environmental, and workforce statistics as well as predominant land uses, property sales, and job density. These features allow potential investors and stakeholders to view where the State has targeted its investments through special designations, such as Urban Enterprise Zones, Transit Villages, Opportunity Zones, and the projects within them.  

Access the Mapping Tool Here.

Ashby Building

DCA's "Ashby Building" was named after William M. Ashby, a fighter for civil rights for more than nine decades and New Jersey's first African American social worker. He also founded New Jersey's first Urban League office in Newark.

Know a College Student or College Grad Interested in Public Service?

The DCA, in partnership with the New Jersey League of Municipalities (NJLM), is hosting the second annual Career Connection Fair on November 18, 2025, at the New Jersey League of Municipalities (NJLM) Annual Conference in Atlantic City. 

The Career Connection Fair aims to inform students of the rewarding career opportunities that municipal, county, and state governments, and their affiliate agencies have to offer. They will learn how a career in public service provides a sustaining, successful livelihood while also enhancing the greater good of their communities.

College, graduate, and law students and recent college graduates may learn more and register for the Fair at https://www.nj.gov/dca/home/careerfair.shtml.