Corzine Speaks on Affordable Housing in Garden State

ATLANTIC CITY – Gov. Jon S. Corzine on Tuesday, Sept. 23 reaffirmed his commitment to provide access to affordable housing for New Jersey’s citizens, calling it a “moral and Constitutional obligation.” He made the remarks while speaking before the 2008 Conference on Housing and Development in Atlantic City.
“With the national epidemic of financial hardships and declining economic conditions facing the hardworking men and women of this nation, my administration has made meaningful progress toward providing New Jersey residents with affordable housing opportunities,” said Corzine, in a release. “We have taken substantial steps forward in our mission to ensure that affordable housing units are built year after year. I believe it is imperative that we support those who are trying to keep a grip on their dream of homeownership.”
In July, the governor signed landmark legislation designed to reform affordable housing laws in New Jersey, ending decades of unfair, unbalanced, and insufficient provisions.
Since 2006, approximately 20,000 affordable units have been built throughout the state. While that does not yet meet the long-term goal under the state’s Constitutional obligation, it does represent a very significant commitment for the present and future.
“Let’s not forget that we are under court order to fulfill our Constitutional requirement as a State,” said Corzine. “The landmark Mount Laurel ruling was more than 30 years ago; the subsequent Fair Housing Act is more than two decades old, and we’re still lagging behind our obligation.
“Under that ruling and that act, our obligation is to provide access to affordable housing in every community in the state. If we don’t step up to the plate and start fulfilling our requirements at a steady clip, the courts do hold a pretty big hammer: a Special Master could be appointed to enforce the law in every single municipality. That is a real possibility, but I know that we—advocates, towns, developers, trade unions, and state agencies—can join forces and accomplish this goal that is so critical to all of our citizens.
In his remarks, Corzine also set the record straight about COAH (Council on Affordable Housing).
“Housing requirements under COAH are based on anticipated growth share—the extent to which a municipality grows in terms of population, jobs, and businesses over the next decade. Contrary to misconception, the requisite affordable housing increases will only increase by the amount of the actual growth in a town. In other words, COAH’s number of units is based on projections—so those targets will change as development is determined and zoned.”
Working with developers and housing advocates, the new COAH rules and regulations provide several incentives and allowances that encourage towns and developers to meet affordable housing goals.
“We owe it to ourselves to uphold our standards as a progressive, far-thinking state that protects those most vulnerable. More importantly, we owe it to ourselves to make sure that everyone in New Jersey can afford housing—a basic right for everyone.”