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October 23, 2025
Dear Friends,
October offers a moment to pause and reflect on progress, partnerships, and the policies shaping a more equitable and sustainable New Jersey. Earlier this month, New Jersey Future hosted its 23rd Annual Smart Growth Awards at the South Orange Performing Arts Center, recognizing exemplary projects and leaders advancing thoughtful planning and community development across our state.
Each honoree demonstrated the principles at the heart of smart growth—strategic investment, environmental stewardship, inclusive design, and equitable access to opportunity. These projects illustrate how public and private partners can collaborate to transform vision into measurable outcomes that strengthen our communities and economy.
We begin by extending our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors. Their generous support made this year’s Smart Growth Awards possible. Additionally, because of their generosity, we were able to offer more scholarships and bring together an even broader audience to celebrate smart, equitable growth across New Jersey. We’re also deeply grateful to our municipal leaders, elected officials, developers, advocates, and community members who joined us in honoring this year’s awardees. The challenges they faced and the barriers they overcame remind us why advancing policies that support housing affordability, resilient infrastructure, and responsible land use is more important than ever.
Here’s a short clip and feature from ROI-NJ, who covered the event: Video Clip | Article
As we look toward the remainder of 2025, New Jersey Future continues to be committed to advancing research, advocacy, and partnerships that drive policy innovation. Together, we are ensuring that smart growth remains not just a concept, but a practical roadmap for an equitable, more sustainable and resilient New Jersey.
Nearly 90 percent of New Jerseyans agree that the cost of renting or buying a home in the state is a problem, and 87% believe legislators should take action to address the state’s supply and affordability issues, according to a survey commissioned by the Great Homes and Neighborhoods for All collaborative.
The responses uncovered significant support for a comprehensive set of housing reforms among voters across key demographics, geography, and partisanship. View the poll results.
Do you agree that the status quo is not working? The numbers only go so far. Lawmakers need to hear the real-life stories behind the statistics. Share your story today and help us make the case for change.
New Jersey Future had the privilege of honoring seven exceptional projects and one Leadership Award honoree at the 23rd annual Smart Growth Awards. Our attendees mixed and mingled and were treated to a wonderful video showcase that exemplified smart growth and thoughtful planning in New Jersey.
The showcase continues online! Starting this week, NJF began featuring one video a day on YouTube. Check out the playlist, and if you haven't already, please subscribe to New Jersey Future’s YouTube channel to catch each video.
The stakes for New Jersey’s transportation network could not be higher. Across the state, communities seek better walkability, bicycle infrastructure, and reliable transit options in an era of uncertain state and federal funding.
Trail networks provide options for walking, biking, and rolling, connecting people to key destinations and fostering a sense of place. Beyond transportation, trails promote health, sustainability, and economic development, offering benefits that extend across urban, suburban, and rural landscapes.
New Jersey Future has developed a blueprint for how the next governor can accelerate and improve trail development. See the full policy blueprint!
Featured Resource
Election Day is around the corner. Regardless of who the next governor is, we understand the significant challenges ahead for our next leaders. Our policy roadmap has the practical, cost-effective solutions to shape where we live, how we get around, and what future generations inherit. Stay informed and make your voice count! Check out the six policy priorities you should be informed of.
Coming Up
October 31: NJ schools can apply for grants through NJ DOE to remediate lead and other contaminants in drinking water. The deadline to apply is October 31, 2025, and the total grant allocation is over $94 million. Learn more here.
November 4: Make your voice heard by getting out to vote in New Jersey's gubernatorial election!
November 15: If you weren’t able to attend the final State Plan public hearing meetings this month, comments on the Plan or the Infrastructure Needs Assessment may also be submitted to stateplan.comments@sos.nj.gov up to 30 days after the last meeting. Take advantage of your last chance to add your voice and inform New Jersey's next State Plan!
November 18-20: Stop by New Jersey Future’s exhibit at booth #2705 during the NJ League of Municipalities Conference. Connect with staff to discover the expertise, solutions, and services NJF offers to support your municipality. See you there!
December 11: Jersey Water Works will host its annual conference, bringing together experts and stakeholders to collaborate on improving water infrastructure and stormwater management.Register today!
Smart Growth for Everyone
Smart Growth is equitable growth. It is also restorative, as smart growth and redevelopment can help correct systemic racial and economic disparities. As New Jersey Future drives land use decision-making toward more equitable outcomes, we will be sharing useful resources and lessons in this monthly spotlight. Please give us your feedback and share with us any particularly insightful articles, talks, events, or videos that you come across.
In case you missed it, New Jersey passed a groundbreaking Lead Service Line Disclosure law last month. This win comes in time to celebrate during this National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 19–25). The law gives renters the right to know if their drinking water may be coming through lead pipes, helping protect families.
This victory marked the culmination of a three-year-long effort. Deandrah Cameron, policy manager at New Jersey Future, has been working tirelessly with partners to ensure the safety of tenants across the state.
"Tenants are often the population least likely to know their status," she reflects. "This new law ensures a more comprehensive, timely, and accurate disclosure process to all tenants, including those who don't directly pay their water bills."
Thanks to your support, this vital step toward healthier homes is now a reality. Let’s keep the momentum going!
Founded in 1987, New Jersey Future is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that promotes sensible and equitable growth, redevelopment, and infrastructure investments to foster healthy, strong, resilient communities; protect natural lands and waterways; increase transportation choices beyond cars; provide access to safe, affordable, and aging-friendly neighborhoods; and fuel a strong economy for everyone. New Jersey Future does this through original research, innovative policy development, coalition-building, advocacy, and hands-on strategic assistance. Embracing differences and advancing fairness is central to New Jersey Future’s mission and operations. New Jersey Future is firmly committed to pursuing greater justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion through its programs, internal operations, and external communications.
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