NJ Election BOMBSHELL: Candidate Vows to END the Controversial Mount Laurel Affordable Housing Law
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, the debate over affordable housing in New Jersey just escalated. Republican lieutenant governor candidate James Gannon has publicly stated he would “absolutely” look to ditch the state’s standing affordable housing requirements, putting the spotlight squarely on the decades-old Mount Laurel Doctrine.
During a debate on PIX11 News, Gannon signaled a desire for a radical shift in how New Jersey addresses housing equity, arguing the current system is flawed.
The Problem with the “Fair Share” Rule, According to Gannon
The Mount Laurel Doctrine, established by the New Jersey Supreme Court in 1975, requires every municipality in the state to provide its “fair share” of the regional need for affordable housing. This requirement is recalculated every 10 years and has been a central—and often controversial—pillar of NJ’s housing landscape.
Gannon criticizes the current mandate for being geographically indiscriminate. He argues that forcing development in areas without the necessary infrastructure ultimately “sets people up for failure.”
“All we do is set people up for failure, that’s what we do. We put places up in the middle of nowhere,” Gannon said. “We have to set people up for success.”
Instead, Gannon suggests the state should prioritize housing development in specific regions based on key factors like transit access and job availability. He cited areas like Red Bank or Somerville as better suited for development compared to townships like Roxbury.
Advocates Defend the Doctrine
The pushback against Gannon’s proposal is significant. Advocates for the current policy contend that the Mount Laurel Doctrine has been essential in stimulating the development of affordable housing across the state. They also argue it is a vital tool for promoting racial and income diversity in wealthy, often exclusionary, communities where such diversity was previously lacking.
The Democratic Stance: Review and Reuse
Democrat Dale Caldwell, running alongside Mikie Sherrill, offered a different approach. While not calling for the doctrine to be scrapped, Caldwell indicated he would review the Mount Laurel Doctrine to ensure it also includes protections for open space.
Caldwell introduced a novel solution to meet housing needs: utilizing empty commercial and office spaces for residential conversions.
“My daughter is 21, I’m president of a university, I worry about their ability to stay in New Jersey, their ability to buy a home and live the American Dream,” Caldwell said, highlighting the urgency of housing affordability for young families.
The future of housing in the Garden State hinges on this debate. Whether the doctrine is dismantled, revised, or defended, the outcome will fundamentally impact communities across New Jersey.
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Gannon speaks with forked tongue.
Evern if he gets this idea off the ground developers would tie it up in the courts for decades and eventually maintain status quo.
it shocks me that people still buy into this BS, ….make developers and politicians rich !