NJ HOMES Choice Tool
Interactive planning tool implementing A4/S50 affordable housing calculations for all 564 municipalities, supporting NJ HOMES grantmaking and municipal compliance.
Overview
The NJ HOMES Choice Tool is an interactive planning platform that implements the A4/S50 prospective need affordable housing calculations for all 564 New Jersey municipalities. This comprehensive tool empowers municipal officials to plan, simulate, and track their affordable housing obligations while maintaining local control over development decisions.
Impact
Supporting NJ HOMES Grantmaking and Municipal Compliance
The tool played a critical role in supporting the grantmaking process for the first cohort of towns funded under NJ HOMES. By providing data-driven planning capabilities, it enables municipalities to:
- Meet their constitutional responsibility for affordable housing
- Make informed decisions about development scenarios
- Track progress toward housing targets over time
- Access centralized information about funded projects
Key Features
Unit Mix Planner
Interactive planning interface that allows municipal officials to simulate different development scenarios and visualize how various project configurations help meet target allocations of affordable units.
Credit Calculator
Sophisticated calculation engine implementing A4/S50 prospective need methodology, enabling municipalities to understand exactly how different development options contribute to their affordable housing obligations.
Project Tracker Interface
Real-time tracking system that monitors projects over time, ensuring municipalities stay on track to meet their constitutional responsibilities for affordable housing provision.
Project Directory
Centralized listing of projects funded through the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and National Housing Trust Fund, providing transparency and accessibility to development opportunities.
Amazon-Style Selection Interface
Intuitive shopping cart interface that allows municipal officials to create reports and select development projects aligned with their community’s local character, putting decision-making power directly in the hands of local officials.
Municipal Benefits
- Preservation of Local Control: Officials maintain autonomy in selecting projects that fit their community’s character
- Data-Driven Planning: Evidence-based tools support informed decision-making
- Compliance Tracking: Real-time monitoring ensures municipalities meet their obligations
- Resource Discovery: Access to funded project opportunities through centralized directory
- Scenario Planning: Ability to model different development approaches before implementation
Technology Implementation
The platform combines sophisticated housing policy calculations with an intuitive user experience, making complex affordable housing requirements accessible to municipal officials across the state. The tool bridges the gap between constitutional obligations and practical implementation.
Statewide Impact
By serving all 564 municipalities with consistent methodology and accessible tools, the NJ HOMES Choice Tool supports New Jersey’s commitment to addressing affordable housing needs while respecting municipal autonomy. The platform demonstrates how technology can facilitate compliance with complex policy requirements while preserving local decision-making authority.
Recognition
The tool represents a significant advancement in how states can support municipalities in meeting affordable housing obligations. Its success in supporting the first NJ HOMES grant cohort establishes it as a model for combining policy implementation with user-centered design.