On January 4, 2008, the Star Ledger reported that New Jersey municipalities will need to create 115,000 new houses and apartments for moderate and low income households by 2018.   This does not include an additional 51,000 homes and apartments that need major rehabilitiation, according to the Council on Affordable Housing. 

Report: N.J. Needs to Step Up Efforts on Affordable Housing 

By Tom Hester

. . . .The figures show New Jersey’s need for affordable housing is far greater than state officials had previously projected, outstripping Gov. Jon Corzine’s goal to provide 100,000 new or refurbished affordable housing units over the next 10 years.

. . . .

The report, prepared by the Philadelphia-based Econsult Corp., determined that more affordable housing would be needed based on projections of how many new jobs will be created — and how many total houses and apartments will be generated — over the next decade.

Using this yardstick, it predicts the greatest growth — and need for affordable housing — will occur in Gloucester, Sussex, Ocean, Hunterdon, Warren and Burlington counties. The report suggests, for example, that Parsippany-Troy Hills would have to create 1,783 units of affordable housing, and South Brunswick would have to come up with 1,223.

COAH Director Lucy Voorhoeve stressed yesterday the numbers for some towns will drop if they cooperated in providing affordable housing in the past or can show they do not have the land to build on.

Since 1987, 308 of New Jersey’s 566 towns have willingly participated in the affordable housing effort, while more than 60 others have been taken to court to act. The nearly 200 remaining towns have either failed to participate or did not have to.

. . . .

One matter that remains unsettled is how the Corzine administration and Legislature would fund the affordable housing effort, a cost some estimate could reach $18 billion.

State Community Affairs Commissioner Joseph V. Doria confirmed yesterday one proposal under serious consideration would call for a state fee on all commercial construction to help towns pay for affordable housing. Walsh said the Corzine administration is considering a 2 percent fee, but Doria maintained a percentage has not been settled.

“We have talked to various organization representing the builders, developers,” Doria said. “It is one of many ideas.”

Mike Cerra, an analyst for the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, said local officials are concerned the latest housing need figure of more than 115,000 “is so high.”

“I think like everyone else we are reviewing the numbers and the methodology,” Cerra said. “Our first reaction is to underscore our concern regarding funding. It is clear it will have a negative impact on property taxes.”

Voorhoeve said the state Department of Environmental Protection has told COAH there are 1 million acres open to housing or commercial construction, more than triple the amount of space needed for the projected new affordable units.

“Towns can use these numbers as a target when preparing their affordable housing plans,” Voorhoeve said.

The Econsult report became available as COAH went before an appeals court panel in Trenton yesterday to request an extension until June to complete the new court-ordered housing regulations. The extension is supported by the League of Municipalities but opposed by affordable housing activists who want the court to appoint a special master to oversee the settlement of housing regulations. The judges made no decision yesterday.

For the potential affordable housing obligation for each municipality on a county-by-county basis, go to: http://www.nj.com/news/bythenumbers/