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Those who are maintaining homes are paying through the nose, according to Cohen. Not only that, but these people are disproportionately on the front lines against COVID it's impossible in some cases for them to work from home. The dearth of affordable housing is a persistent crisis for very low-income New Jersey residents, many of whom work in the hospitality industry, a field which has taken one of the biggest hits from the virus. "New Jersey has an Affordable Housing Trust Fund, has money that is dedicated to addressing the housing needs, and that money needs to be used for people who are most at need," Cohen said. Every time a home is bought or sold, Cohen said, a portion of the realty transfer fee goes to fund affordable housing, but the notion that law could be changed has been discussed.
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