TRENTON – Aiming to increase access to childcare for families of low and moderate incomes, the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Senator Troy Singleton that would permit the use of funds stemming from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund or municipal development fee trust funds for the planning and construction of licensed childcare centers that are co-located with low-and moderate-income housing.
“Access to childcare is crucial, especially for families who need to have both parents working to make ends meet or pursue educational opportunities to better their future prospects,” said Senator Singleton, Chair of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee (D-Burlington). “By locating childcare centers near affordable housing buildings, we can improve access and allow these families to achieve increased stability.”
The bill, S-3440, would allow for the use of Affordable Housing Trust Fund or municipal development fee trust fund dollars for the planning and construction of licensed childcare centers that are located in the same building as, on the same site as, or adjacent to a building or site that provides low-or moderate-income housing.
The legislation would additionally require that priority for vacancies in these licensed childcare centers be given to households of low-and moderate-income that live in the co-located building or site. If other vacancies remain, priority would be given to other families of low-and moderate-income.
S-3440 was advanced by the Committee in a unanimous vote.
