New Jersey Assembly Bill A5869

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/7/23
• Refer: 12/7/23
• Report Pass: 12/11/23
• Engrossed: 1/8/24

Caption

Requires municipalities in compliance with affordable housing obligations be provided priority consideration for certain State grants and assistance.

Impact

If enacted, A5869 will potentially enhance the ability of compliant municipalities to access state funding, thereby facilitating more effective management and development of affordable housing initiatives. The DCA's determination of compliance will consider various factors within the first five years of new affordable housing obligation rounds, including historical compliance indicators and fulfillment percentages from previous rounds. This structured approach aims to incentivize municipalities to meet their housing obligations more comprehensively.

Summary

Assembly Bill A5869 seeks to prioritize municipalities that comply with affordable housing obligations when awarding state grants and financial assistance. This legislation mandates that the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) give preference to these compliant municipalities in programs such as the Main Street New Jersey Program and the Neighborhood Preservation Program. The bill emphasizes the importance of fulfilling housing obligations as outlined in existing state laws regarding fair share housing provisions.

Contention

While the bill is primarily focused on promoting compliance with affordable housing obligations, it also extracts certain concerns regarding the equitable distribution of funds and the definition of compliance itself. Critics may argue about the fairness of prioritizing certain municipalities over others, especially for those struggling to meet their obligations. Furthermore, municipalities that are exempt from such obligations are also deemed compliant by the DCA, which could raise questions about the integrity of the compliance evaluation process and whether it effectively addresses affording housing needs across diverse communities in New Jersey.