the staff of the Ridgewood blog
NEW JERSEY — The Fair Share Housing Center has issued “affordable housing” compliance assessments to all 564 municipalities statewide, with a stern warning to 16 towns that face losing control over their housing plans if they fail to act by December 31, 2025.
According to Executive Director Adam Gordon, more than 423 towns are on track for approval, showing “more proactive planning for “affordable housing” than at any point in New Jersey’s history.” Most of these municipalities only need minor adjustments or additional documentation.
But in 125 municipalities, serious compliance issues remain — many concentrated in North Jersey. At the center of the dispute is the Vacant Land Adjustment, which some towns use to slash their affordable housing quotas.
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Teaneck argued it only needs to build 11 of its 431 assigned units.
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Ridgewood estimated just four of its 427 required units.
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Park Ridge calculated only three of its 124 assigned units.
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Franklin Lakes, assigned 497 units, claims it does not need to build any new affordable homes.
“These towns cannot have it both ways — saying the law is too demanding, then pretending it requires nothing when it’s time to deliver,” Gordon warned.
Bergen County Towns Facing Legal Action
The 16 municipalities flagged for noncompliance — at risk of losing immunity from builder’s remedy lawsuits — include:
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Bergen County: Franklin Lakes, Lyndhurst, Montvale, North Arlington, Park Ridge, Saddle River
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Gloucester County: East Greenwich
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Ocean County: Toms River
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Mercer County: West Windsor
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Monmouth County: Belmar
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Morris County: Florham Park, Hanover, Madison, Rockaway, Roxbury
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Union County: Summit
If stripped of protection, developers could gain the power to build affordable housing with far less municipal oversight.
Ridgewood & Montvale Push Back
In Ridgewood, residents have protested rezoning proposals along North Maple Avenue for a senior assisted living complex, a key part of the village’s fourth-round affordable housing plan.
Meanwhile, Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali has rallied 29 municipalities across eight counties under the banner Local Leaders for Responsible Planning, challenging what they call “developer-driven quotas.”
“Montvale already has over 10% affordable housing,” Ghassali said. “We’ve met our obligations and even hold surplus credits. You can’t build where there’s no space.”
What’s Next?
Municipalities now face two deadlines:
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Dec. 31, 2025: Submit compliant affordable housing plans.
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Mar. 15, 2026: Adopt final ordinances and resolutions.
Disputes will first go to the new Affordable Housing Dispute Resolution Program before expedited court hearings.
Residents can review their town’s housing plan by visiting NJCourts.gov.
Join the new Saddle River Valley, Ramapo and Pascack Valley Communities Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1931704860512551/
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This is the sad result of NJ having become a Democratic blue state and now the state is pushing to destroy all towns that simply want to remain the same.
Vote for Jack in November.
This is why, Ciattarelli needs to be voted into office, he can pull the levers to stop a state government that is running amok
Please put this in layman’s terms for me. Who is suing the towns for non compliance, the state or the developers, or someone else? Who owns the property, I’m guessing the town? Any other insight would be greatly appreciated. I’m a bad Ridgewood-ite. I’m Not on top of this one.