Bloomfield Pushes Home Repair Program Forward, Affordable Housing Plan Nearly Certified

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A new home improvement program for low and moderate-income residents recently took a step forward in Bloomfield.

The program is part of the town’s effort to comply with the state’s latest affordable housing mandate, which was announced two years ago.

Here’s how it would work, according to a statement from the township:

“The home improvement program is designed to help residents stay in otherwise sound homes when a major system fails. Through the program, income-qualified Bloomfield households can receive up to $25,000 in the form of an interest-free, forgivable loan to undertake eligible improvements. Eligible work generally involves the repair or replacement of major home systems, such as roofing, siding, HVAC, heating, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as windows.”

To qualify, a household's income must fall at or below 80 percent of the regional median income. Bloomfield is located within Housing Region 2, which includes Essex, Morris, Union and Warren counties.

More information about how to apply is expected to become available as the program moves ahead.

Funding for the program will come from real estate developers – not municipal taxes, township officials said:

“The program is funded entirely through the township's Affordable Housing Trust Fund rather than municipal taxes. Like other New Jersey municipalities, Bloomfield collects fees from developers, which are set aside to fund affordable housing activities, such as housing rehabilitation. The program is strictly local: dollars generated by development in Bloomfield are reinvested in Bloomfield residents.”

The town council took a step towards launching the new program at their meeting on June 8, advancing the selection of Acuity Consulting Services as the affordable housing administrative agent that will oversee it.

Paul Grygiel, board planner, gave a presentation about the new program to the council at their June 8 meeting (watch video footage here or view it below, article continues underneath):

“No one should have to leave the home they love because they can't afford a critical repair,” Mayor Jenny Mundell said.

“This program uses dollars generated here in Bloomfield to help our neighbors make essential improvements, remain safely in their homes, and continue being part of the community they've helped shape,” Mundell said.

Third Ward Councilwoman Sarah Cruz also backed the new program.

“Residents have asked about this year after year,” she said.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING UPDATE

The new home improvement program is part of the town’s ongoing efforts to comply with New Jersey's fourth round of affordable housing obligations, which spans from 2025 to 2035.

State officials released their latest quota for Bloomfield and other towns in 2024. The calculations included numbers for “present need” (existing housing units deemed substandard/deficient and in need of repair), and “prospective need” (the number of new units that will be needed based on population trends).

Here are the totals for Bloomfield:

• Present Need – 329
• Prospective Need – zero

The township has completed the steps required for certification of its affordable housing plan, and court certification is anticipated within the coming weeks, spokespeople said.

• Related: Bloomfield Gets Its New Affordable Housing Quota From State

MASTER PLAN

Township officials said the new home improvement program is the result of more than a year of work to implement a recommendation of the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan of the township's new “master plan,” which was adopted last year.

“This program advances one of the key goals of Bloomfield's master plan: helping residents remain in their homes and preserving strong, stable neighborhoods,” said Alan Laquaglia, chair of the Bloomfield Planning Board.

“A major repair can sometimes be the difference between staying in a home and having to leave it,” Laquaglia said. “By using funds generated through development in Bloomfield to provide forgivable loans for essential repairs, we're investing those dollars back into the community and helping residents stay where they belong.”

• Related: New ‘Master Plan’ Lays Out Future Of Development In Bloomfield

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