New Jersey nurse residency program to be phased out, new residents required

New Jersey Gov.

Chris Christie (R) signed a bill Tuesday to phase out a state program that offered nursing homes, medical schools, and other community-based programs as housing assistance to New Jersey residents who need it.

The legislation, signed by Christie in an executive order, is the latest in a series of moves by the governor to make it harder for low-income people to qualify for housing assistance.

In July, Christie signed legislation that eliminated the state’s state-funded program that provided subsidized housing to New York City residents who had a household income of up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level.

The governor also signed a sweeping bill that cut off $300 million in assistance to state governments and eliminated $2 billion in funding for housing programs.

Christie, a Republican, has repeatedly said that the federal government shouldn’t provide aid to New Yorkers who need help with rent or utilities.