The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
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RIDGEWOOD, NJ — July 2025 — In a significant turn of events, Ridgewood has reduced its fourth-round affordable housing obligation from 427 units—the number initially assigned by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs—to just 4 units, all of which the village says are already covered through surplus credits.
file photo
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ — While towns like Paramus, Montvale, and Mahwah have successfully pushed back against unrealistic state housing mandates, the Village of Ridgewood appears poised to comply quickly with developer-friendly proposals, raising concerns among residents about the speed and scope of development.
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TEANECK, NJ — July 5, 2025 — The Township of Teaneck has officially submitted its Fourth-Round Affordable Housing Plan, identifying six potential development sites as part of its strategy to meet the state-mandated affordable housing obligation of 431 units.
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MONTVALE, NJ — July 2025 — In a significant development for local planning and property development, Mayor Michael Ghassali announced that Montvale will be responsible for constructing only three affordable housing units over the next decade—down from the 348 units originally proposed by a state agency in October 2024.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
PARAMUS, NJ — In a significant development for one of Bergen County’s most densely developed communities, Paramus has successfully cut its state-mandated affordable housing obligation from 1,000 units to just 316 — a 68% reduction.
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SADDLE RIVER, NJ – A major new housing proposal from Toll Brothers, one of the nation’s largest home builders, could bring 60 townhomes, including 12 affordable housing units, to a residential section of Saddle River. The plans were introduced at the Saddle River Planning Board meeting on June 17 and are expected to be the focus of continued hearings on September 2 and September 9 at 6 p.m.
Township Officials Credit Accurate Land Analysis, Planning Strategy, and Smart Credit Usage
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MAHWAH, NJ — In a stunning development, the Township of Mahwah has dramatically reduced its fourth-round affordable housing requirement from 629 units to just three, following a comprehensive revision of its Housing Element and Fair Share Plan. This shift is being hailed as one of the most significant reductions among New Jersey municipalities.
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Montvale NJ, a coalition of over two dozen New Jersey towns is ramping up its fight against the state’s controversial forced over development “affordable housing” mandates, taking their case to federal court in an effort to halt the wave of rapid development sweeping through suburban communities.
Continue reading Over Two Dozen NJ Towns Sue State Over Court Ordered “Affordable Housing Mandates”
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Ridgewood NJ, Homelessness in the United States has reached its highest level since the federal government began tracking the issue nearly 20 years ago. According to new data, almost 772,000 people experienced homelessness on a single night in January 2024, marking an 18% increase from 2023. This alarming statistic sheds light on a deepening crisis fueled by soaring rents, limited affordable housing, and an influx of migrants seeking asylum.
Continue reading Homelessness in the U.S. Hits Record High: A 2024 Snapshot
file photo by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, a recent MarketWatch/YouGov poll revealed a sobering truth: three out of four Americans see the cost of living as a “major roadblock” to achieving the American dream. Among the factors cited, 64% highlighted housing costs, while others pointed to corruption (55%), healthcare expenses (52%), and taxes (45%) as significant barriers.
Continue reading Cost of Living: A Major Roadblock to the American Dream