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Network congratulates Fair Share Housing on victorious legal battle
Fair Share Housing Center of Cherry Hill, a Network member and long-time champion of social justice, publshed the following release on today's court decision:
Court rules against Christie's Executive Order on COAH
Plans for new homes, jobs to move forward
Contact: Kevin Walsh
kevinwalsh@fairsharehousing.org
856-324-4461
Feb. 19, 2010 - Trenton, New Jersey- The Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court today issued an order enjoining Gov. Chris Christie's February 9 Executive Order that had placed an indefinite hold on the state's housing policies. The order, in response to papers filed by Fair Share Housing Center (FSHC) on Monday, requires the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) to go forward with plans to build 45,000 new homes and create hundreds of thousands of jobs statewide.
The order is available here. .
"Throughout New Jersey, we can now move forward with creating thousands of homes, many of which are shovel-ready but held up by municipal red tape," Peter J. O'Connor, Esq., Executive Director of FSHC said. "We look forward to working with non-profit organizations, builders, municipalities, and the Christie Administration to meet the high demand for starter homes, and need for jobs."
The Court's order requires COAH to continue work, including on plans for several hundred new homes that were scheduled for a vote the day after the Executive Order was instituted. The Court also has required further briefs in the matter from both FSHC and the Attorney General, and scheduled oral argument on the matter for March 16.
"Today's injunction is a victory for democracy," Kevin D. Walsh, Esq., Associate Director of FSHC said. "The Court has recognized the paramount importance of this matter, in which Gov. Christie asserted sweeping powers unlike anything ever seen in New Jersey's history. Good government demands, and our State Constitution requires, that the Governor work with the Legislature and operate through a fair and transparent public process."
Fair Share Housing Center, founded in 1975, is the only public interest organization devoted entirely to defending the housing rights of New Jersey's poor through implementing the Mount Laurel doctrine.
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