New Jersey Senate Bill S532

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Reforms procedures concerning provision of affordable housing; repeals "Statewide Non-Residential Development Fee Act."

Impact

The legislation specifically allows municipalities various pathways to meet their affordable housing obligations. These include strategies for off-site construction of affordable units, renovation of existing substandard units, and the option for developers to make financial contributions to the housing trust fund instead of building designated affordable units. By establishing 10 percent set-aside requirements, the bill intends to ensure that a significant portion of new developments contributes to housing affordability, thereby addressing long-standing challenges in the New Jersey housing market.

Summary

S532, introduced in the New Jersey Legislature, reforms the existing affordable housing laws to simplify compliance mechanisms according to the Fair Housing Act. A key change is the dissolution of the Council on Affordable Housing and the transfer of its responsibilities to the Department of Community Affairs. This aims to streamline processes and enable quicker determination of 'inclusionary status' for municipalities that dedicate 10 percent of new residential growth to affordable units. The bill suggests that municipalities must adopt zoning ordinances that assess their current housing stock and outline achievable affordable housing plans.

Contention

Controversies surrounding S532 include concerns about the reduction in oversight traditionally provided by the Council and how the transition to reliance on the Department of Community Affairs may impact local accountability. There is a fear that the repealing of the 'Statewide Non-Residential Development Fee Act' might limit funding available for municipal infrastructure development related to new housing projects. Opposition voices argue that while the bill is designed to promote housing, the measures might lead to insufficient time for municipalities to adapt or fulfill their obligations effectively, potentially exacerbating housing shortages in an already strained market.