The bill amends New Jersey's "Fair Housing Act" to enhance the framework for municipalities in providing affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families, in line with the Mount Laurel decisions. It abolishes the ineffective Council on Affordable Housing and introduces new guidelines for municipalities to determine their fair share of affordable housing obligations. Key provisions include allowing municipalities to meet up to 30% of their obligations through age-restricted housing, establishing a new approval framework with calculations from the Department of Community Affairs, and setting strict deadlines for compliance to prevent litigation. The bill also creates an Affordable Housing Dispute Resolution Program to facilitate communication and resolve disputes efficiently.

Additionally, the legislation outlines specific requirements for municipalities regarding the calculation of housing needs, the adoption of housing elements, and the publication of compliance determinations. It mandates that at least 20% of residential units constructed with state funding be reserved for low- or moderate-income households and introduces minimum deed restrictions for newly created affordable units. The bill emphasizes transparency and accountability in the management of affordable housing resources, including detailed accounting of collected development fees and the establishment of the New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund to support various housing initiatives. Overall, the bill aims to streamline affordable housing compliance while ensuring municipalities meet their obligations effectively.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:27D-302, 52:27D-304, 52:27D-313, 2A:50-56, 5:18-2, 13:20-23, 17:11C-55, 39:4-10.2, 40:55D-8.2, 40:55D-8.3, 40:55D-8.4, 40:55D-8.5, 40:55D-8.7, 40:55D-8.8, 40:55D-40.3, 40A:12A-3, 40A:12A-16, 52:27D-310, 52:27D-310.1, 52:27D-311, 52:27D-320, 52:27D-321, 52:27D-321.1, 52:27D-329.1, 52:27D-329.2, 52:27D-329.4, 52:27D-329.9, 55:14K-56, 55:14K-60, 55:14K-74
Advance Law: 52:27D-302, 52:27D-304, 52:27D-313, 2A:50-56, 5:18-2, 13:20-23, 17:11C-55, 39:4-10.2, 40:55D-8.2, 40:55D-8.3, 40:55D-8.4, 40:55D-8.5, 40:55D-8.7, 40:55D-8.8, 40:55D-40.3, 40A:12A-3, 40A:12A-16, 52:27D-310, 52:27D-310.1, 52:27D-311, 52:27D-320, 52:27D-321, 52:27D-321.1, 52:27D-329.1, 52:27D-329.2, 52:27D-329.4, 52:27D-329.9, 55:14K-56, 55:14K-60, 55:14K-74
Pamphlet Law: 52:27D-302, 52:27D-304, 52:27D-313, 2A:50-56, 5:18-2, 13:20-23, 17:11C-55, 39:4-10.2, 40:55D-8.2, 40:55D-8.3, 40:55D-8.4, 40:55D-8.5, 40:55D-8.7, 40:55D-8.8, 40:55D-40.3, 40A:12A-3, 40A:12A-16, 52:27D-310, 52:27D-310.1, 52:27D-311, 52:27D-320, 52:27D-321, 52:27D-321.1, 52:27D-329.1, 52:27D-329.2, 52:27D-329.4, 52:27D-329.9, 55:14K-56, 55:14K-60, 55:14K-74