State won't extend affordable housing deadline

by: Jason Springer

Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 11:00:00 AM EST

You're going to see alot of towns scrambling to meet these deadlines after the head of the N.J. Department of Community Affairs said that the state's Council on Affordable Housing will not grant an extension to the December 31st deadline for towns to submit their plans to provide affordable housing:

"We have given serious thought and consideration to your request but have determined that an across-the-board extension of the deadline would not be consistent with COAH's statutory obligations under the Fair Housing Act," Doria said in the letter. "As we have stated, COAH is committed to continuing to work cooperatively with municipal officials in the planning process, and that cooperation certainly will continue as we move forward."
In a letter to municipal officials, Dressel notified the towns the request has been denied despite the backing of state Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) and Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R-Somerset), Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts (D-Camden) and Assemblyman Gerald Green (D-Union).
"The commissioner's decision means that municipalities will need to file revised third-round plans by December 31 or face 'builders' remedy' lawsuits," Dressel said. The so-called "builder's remedy" allows dense, market-value developments in exchange for providing a smaller number of affordable units.

I don't know that some of these towns would ever be happy with a deadline to meet for affordable housing. There is opposition to the fact that we have an affordable housing mandate and no matter when the deadline comes, that opposition will be voiced.

The lack of an extension doesn't settle the matter by a long shot. There are legitimate questions that have been raised. Hank Kalet recently discussed this issue. Just yesterday, Senator Lesniak sent out a release talking about his bill to "fix the faults in the current COAH guidelines.

"I have proposed a bill (S 2485) which would fix the faults in the current COAH guidelines that are stifling job growth and economic development in New Jersey. The bill would suspend the 2.5% development fee strangling our economic recovery as well as direct the State Housing Commission to recommend sound planning and economic principles sorely lacking in the current COAH mandates and regulations."

A quick looks shows 44 bills waiting for their time to be heard in the legislature regarding affordable housing. There will be plenty more discussion and debate going forward, but maybe they should wait until after the guidelines go into effect to fix them. On top of that, the deadline says municipalities have to submit a plan. If the guidelines and rules are "fixed" down the road, those plans could be modified accordingly. No one is saying they have to put shovels in the ground on January 1.

Jason Springer :: State won't extend affordable housing deadline