Signed by Governor Phil Murphy

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with senate amendments and pass a bill that establishes a new, streamlined framework for determining and enforcing municipalities' affordable housing obligations under the New Jersey Supreme Court's Mount Laurel doctrine and the State's Fair Housing Act in New Jersey.

Highlights:

• Establishes a new, streamlined framework for determining and enforcing municipalities' affordable housing obligations for low and moderate-income families under the New Jersey Supreme Court's Mount Laurel doctrine and the State's Fair Housing Act in New Jersey (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Department of Community Affairs to publish non-binding calculations of municipalities’ current and prospective need for affordable housing using a formula based on prior court decisions starting with the compliance period in 2025 (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that disputes about municipalities’ affordable housing obligations and plans to meet those obligations will be resolved by the Judiciary with assistance from a new dispute resolution program, replacing the role previously played by the Council on Affordable Housing (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the governor (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a new, streamlined framework for determining and enforcing municipalities' affordable housing obligations under the New Jersey Supreme Court's Mount Laurel doctrine and the State's Fair Housing Act in New Jersey.

Highlights:

• Establishes a new, streamlined framework for determining and enforcing municipalities' affordable housing obligations for low and moderate-income families under the New Jersey Supreme Court's Mount Laurel doctrine and the State's Fair Housing Act in New Jersey (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Department of Community Affairs to publish non-binding calculations of municipalities’ current and prospective need for affordable housing using a formula based on prior court decisions starting with the compliance period in 2025 (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that disputes about municipalities’ affordable housing obligations and plans to meet those obligations will be resolved by the Judiciary with assistance from a new dispute resolution program, replacing the role previously played by the Council on Affordable Housing (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the governor (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text