TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie’s plan to scrap the Council on Affordable Housing is a step toward uncluttering the tangled web of affordable housing policy in New Jersey. But it doesn’t come close to ending a longtime standoff over how to implement court-ordered mandates so towns, builders and advocates for low-and-moderate income families are satisfied. Lawmakers still plan to...
Gov. Chris Christie speaks from the podium at the War Memorial Auditorium on Tuesday.TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie’s plan to scrap the Council on Affordable Housing is a step toward uncluttering the tangled web of affordable housing policy in New Jersey.
But it doesn’t come close to ending a longtime standoff over how to implement court-ordered mandates so towns, builders and advocates for low-and-moderate income families are satisfied. Lawmakers still plan to legislate new guidelines, and the state Supreme Court is expected to hear a case challenging COAH regulations. Either could significantly affect the new housing policy.
In the meantime, Christie plans to abolish COAH and transfer its duties to the Department of Community Affairs. COAH has been criticized almost universally for being overly bureaucratic and a burden on towns, and Christie says the move will streamline state government and save taxpayers.
"I just got tired of waiting for the legislature," Christie said today. "COAH’s got to go."
Christie added he will work to make affordable housing policy "fair and effective" going forward.
"Right now, it is neither," he said.
The legislature has 60 days to disapprove the restructuring, but it’s unlikely the move will be challenged. Abolishing COAH was a central tenet of legislation that passed both houses of the legislature but was conditionally vetoed by Christie in January because of other provisions in the bill.
Assemblyman Jerry Green (D-Union), the sponsor of the legislation, applauded the governor and said he is willing to compromise going forward.
"I’m not looking to force more housing on municipalities that have met their obligation. But when land becomes available in municipalities that have met their obligation, then I’m looking for them to step up to the plate," Green said. "I’m not going to play hardball with numbers."
Not everyone touted the move, though.
"The governor is attempting to consolidate power so he can allow municipalities where the wealthiest New Jerseyans live keep out working folks," said Kevin Walsh, associate director of Fair Share Housing Center, an advocacy group. "This is just his newest way to enable municipalities to exclude hardworking folks who need good homes."
Previous coverage:
• Gov. Christie abolishes N.J. Council on Affordable Housing
• N.J. Supreme Court will hear affordable housing case
• N.J. appellate court sends Council on Affordable Housing rules back for a rewrite
• N.J. Sen. Raymond Lesniak vows to introduce new affordable housing bill after Christie's veto