New Jersey will require an average of 150 new affordable homes per town
New Jersey will require an average of 150 new affordable homes per town Gothamist
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New Jersey Officials Announce Affordable Housing Targets
The Department of Community Affairs in New Jersey has released the required number of low-priced homes that each town must develop over the next 10 years. This announcement has sparked controversy and opposition among various municipalities.
Calculating the Affordable Housing Targets
The affordable housing targets were posted by the Department of Community Affairs ahead of the October 20 deadline set by the new affordable housing law signed by Governor Phil Murphy earlier this year. According to the department’s calculations, New Jersey’s total target number is 84,698 affordable homes, with an average of approximately 150 units per town.
State housing experts estimate that New Jersey needs more than 200,000 affordable homes to accommodate low-income individuals who often spend over 50% of their income on rent.
Challenges and Lawsuits
Last week, over 500 towns covered under the Mount Laurel Doctrine, a state Supreme Court decision mandating fair share contributions of affordable housing, received their target numbers from the state. However, twenty-three towns in New Jersey are currently suing to invalidate the state law passed by the Legislature this year, claiming that it imposes unfair requirements on towns without considering their capacity for development.
Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali, who is leading the coalition of towns suing to overturn the law, expressed concerns about the burden placed on towns. Montvale, for example, was given a target of 348 affordable homes, more than double the statewide average.
Previous Rounds and Ongoing Challenges
Since the implementation of the Mount Laurel Doctrine in 1987, affordable housing has been allocated through different rounds. Each round begins with the state informing municipalities of the number of affordable units they need to make land available for, along with a timeline for development. The duration of each round has varied due to political factors, lawsuits, and local opposition.
The affordable housing targets provided to towns last week represent the numbers for the fourth round of Mount Laurel, which will run from June 2025 through 2035. However, some towns are still fighting their obligations from the previous round.
Responses and Next Steps
While some town officials, like South Brunswick, have reached agreements with housing advocates to fulfill their affordable housing obligations, others are approaching the new requirements with resistance. Princeton’s Town Council President Mia Sacks stated that the state’s targets are reasonable, but time is short to start the planning process.
By the end of January 2025, town officials must decide whether to accept the state’s assigned numbers or submit their own calculations for approval. Municipalities looking to challenge their targets must file a lawsuit by the end of February and work with the state to resolve their grievances by April 1. The goal is for municipalities to adopt their affordable housing plans by June 30, 2025.
Concerns and Opposition
Attorney Jeffrey Surenian, who specializes in representing towns in affordable housing matters, criticized the state’s numbers as excessive and argued that they do not consider market conditions. He stated that some towns will need more time to decide whether to challenge their targets.
Despite the opposition, housing advocates believe that even towns assigned to build 1,000 or more housing units can find creative solutions to fulfill the state’s requests. This includes redeveloping existing properties and converting single-family homes into multiple apartments.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance.
- SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of affordable homes developed in each town
- Percentage of low-income people with access to affordable housing
- Percentage of income spent on rent by low-income people
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | SDG 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance. | – Number of affordable homes developed in each town – Percentage of low-income people with access to affordable housing – Percentage of income spent on rent by low-income people |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. | – Number of affordable homes developed in each town – Percentage of low-income people with access to affordable housing – Percentage of income spent on rent by low-income people |
Source: gothamist.com
