the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, last month, New Jersey’s municipalities learned their “affordable housing obligations” for the next decade. The state Department of Community Affairs (DCA) published calculations detailing the number of units each of the state’s 564 municipalities must accommodate by 2035. These mandates aim to address both current and future affordable housing needs across the state.
Breaking Down the Requirements
The new guidelines require towns to create zoning ordinances and housing plans that enable developers to build or rehabilitate affordable units, rather than directly constructing or renovating the housing themselves. Obligations fall into two categories:
- Present Need: Renovating substandard existing affordable housing.
- Prospective Need: Building new affordable units.
Seventeen municipalities are tasked with accommodating at least 600 new units of affordable housing, with suburban towns like Paramus, Secaucus, and Wayne facing the highest caps of 1,000 new units each.
How the Numbers Were Calculated
The DCA used a detailed formula factoring in median income, available open space, existing homes, and other variables to determine each town’s obligations. The results highlight the growing need for affordable housing in suburban and urban areas alike.
For instance, Newark must rehabilitate 4,630 existing units for its “present need” but is not required to build new units. Meanwhile, the smallest municipality, Tavistock, is slated for zero affordable housing obligations.
Mixed Reactions from Local Leaders
While some view the guidelines as a necessary step toward equitable housing, others see them as an undue burden. Paramus Mayor Christopher DiPiazza criticized the state’s approach, citing concerns about infrastructure strain and insufficient support for towns facing population growth.
Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali echoed this sentiment, leading a coalition of 21 mayors in suing the state over what they call an “overreach” of affordable housing requirements. The group seeks to pause the law while legal challenges are resolved.
What’s Next?
Municipalities have until January 31 to adopt the DCA’s guidance or submit their own calculations, and until June 30 to finalize implementation plans. Governor Phil Murphy, who signed the affordable housing law (S50) in March, emphasized its importance in expanding access to housing for families statewide.
To support compliance, the state will launch the NJ Housing Opportunities for Municipal Equity and Success (NJHOMES) program next year, offering financial and technical assistance.
As New Jersey navigates this housing mandate, the balance between meeting legal obligations and addressing local concerns will remain a critical issue, with the next key milestone—a court hearing on the mayors’ lawsuit—set for December 3.
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Municipality’s need to tell the state to drop dead!
You need to get ready to be enriched by diversity.
The old movie theater will be such a perfect location for this.
Glen Rock’s HISTORIC (boxes checked) council will likely celebrate this just like they signed on to Tammy Murphy.
The letter on the signs with the QR code is CORRECT!!
No, look in another area!!!
The Left are attacking from all fronts, and you stupid wealthy Libs vote for it.
Stupid wealthy libs are a lot like alcoholics, they hate themselves and they commit suicide slowly over a long period of time, the latter through poison and the former via policy.
When you have Democrat control they appoint left wing activist judges who you can thank for this BS such as ‘mount laurel’.
This used to be a great state
You see libs. Voting has consequences.
Oh, I can smell the clean air of diversity, trash, noise, pollution, police sirens but most importantly that great feeling of living in a NYC ghetto again. We libs love urbanization. I hope Murphy turns this state into the biggest sh.hole in merica. RW loves those Jersey values and lower taxes. It’s a tragicomedy.
But hey, look on the bright side. Chances are the garage will see a lot more activity.
More housing coming into Ridgewood don’t you worry.
Wait until Valley hospital starts selling their property on Maple Avenue. Oh yes more housing.
That property has been sold since a couple of years. I think a developer owns it now. I would guess a proposal should have been submitted already. Vag will make sure to negotiate the best deal for his cronies.