N.J. Stat. Ann. § 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-9.1
Enforcement of laws against discrimination in public housing and real property
Operative Text
1. The Division on Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety shall enforce the laws of this State against unlawful discrimination in housing built with, or leased with the assistance of, public funds or public assistance, pursuant to any law, and in real property, as defined in the law hereby supplemented, because of race, religious principles, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, familial status, disability, service in the Armed Forces of the United States or liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, nationality, sex, gender identity or expression, or source of lawful income used for rental or mortgage payments. These laws shall be enforced in the manner prescribed in P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et seq.). L.1954, c.198, s.1; amended 1961, c.106, s.5; 1963, c.40, s.18; 1970, c.80, s.12; 1991, c.519, s.6; 1992, c.146, s.7; 2002, c.82, s.2; 2003, c.180, s.9; 2006, c.100, s.7; 2017, c.184, s.2; 2025, c.307, s.6.
N.J.S.A. 10:5-9.1 designates the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights as the body responsible for enforcing the state's anti-discrimination laws in housing. The provision covers housing built or leased with public funds, as well as real property more broadly, and prohibits discrimination based on a wide range of characteristics including race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, disability, familial status, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, source of lawful income, and military service status, among others. Enforcement follows the procedures established under P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et seq.).
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.J.S.A. 10:5-9.1, property owners and managers operating in New Jersey—particularly those whose properties involve public funds or public assistance—are subject to the Division on Civil Rights' enforcement authority. Compliant operators generally maintain non-discriminatory policies across all protected characteristics listed in the statute, including source of lawful income and gender identity or expression, which are sometimes overlooked. Operators typically document their rental and leasing practices to demonstrate consistency and compliance with the anti-discrimination framework referenced in this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 10:5-9.1 establishes that tenants in New Jersey have state-level protections against housing discrimination on a broad set of grounds, including race, disability, familial status, gender identity or expression, and source of lawful income used for rent or mortgage payments. The Division on Civil Rights in the Department of Law and Public Safety is the designated enforcement agency, and tenants who believe they have experienced unlawful discrimination in housing may consider filing a complaint directly with that Division. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can also help individuals understand the range of options available under this provision and the broader C.10:5-1 et seq. framework.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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