Report 146K homes needed for fair housing obligations

More than 146,000 homes are needed to satisfy the fair housing needs from 1999 until 2015, according to the Fair Share Housing Center’s recently released study.More than 146,000 homes are needed to satisfy the fair housing needs from 1999 until 2015, according to the Fair Share Housing Center’s recently released study.

Additionally, the study found 280,000 homes are needed before the imposition of municipal caps to meet the needs until 2025.

“New Jersey is one the most expensive states in the country,” Kevin Walsh, Fair Share Housing Center executive director, said. “Working families are still recovering from the effects of the recession, the ongoing foreclosure crisis and the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy. The Supreme Court’s January ruling affirmed in the strongest terms that towns meet their obligation under the state Constitution to provide quality, affordable homes in communities with good schools and access to jobs.”

The Housing Center submitted the study on Wednesday to the Mercer County Superior Court in an effort to determine the housing needs of five municipalities that have not reached settlements establishing their obligations.

“We expect the courts to affirm this study as we work to finally end the systemic exclusion holding back New Jersey’s working families, minority communities, seniors and those with disabilities,” Walsh said.

More than 100 towns have reached agreements with developers, nonprofits and civil rights advocates to satisfy the obligations of over 32,000 homes. These include Woodbridge, Edison, Bridgewater, Hamilton and Ewing, among others.

“A clear consensus is developing in municipalities across the state that towns can and should meet their constitutional fair housing obligations,” Walsh said. “The current process is working. Shovels are already in the ground and new homes are being built to expand opportunities for New Jersey families. This new study demonstrates that we can’t let up. We will press forward to fulfill our Constitution’s promise to these families.”