2010 State & Legislative Policy Priorities
(Click here for Federal Priorities)
Advancing Housing Policies to Move NJ Forward: The Network will continue to promote housing policies that encourage the creation of homes people can afford near employment and transit centers. New Jersey needs a predictable and fair system to ensure that our residents have enough housing varieties in communities across the state. We will oppose efforts to undo the principles of Mount Laurel, including S1. This proposal reduces/eliminates fair share housing obligations for most New Jersey municipalities, reinstate some 5,000 RCA units, and greatly reduces the proportion of housing that would be created for low and very-low income New Jersey residents in the future. The Network will continue to build support for our alternate proposal to move New Jersey forward.
Preserving Housing Reforms: Along with our allies, the Network continues to work to preserve the central elements of A.500, the comprehensive housing reform of 2008. Key elements include: creation of a State Housing Commission; a 2.5% statewide non-residential Developer Fee ; a 13% Very Low Income Housing requirement for all state housing programs; replacement of deed restricted homes in redevelopment areas to protect NJ’s scarce affordable housing stock; a 20% affordable housing requirement in all Transit Oriented Development; end to Regional Contribution Agreements (RCAs); and an Urban Housing Fund.
Restore Housing Funds to Budget: Lead efforts to restore housing production funds and capacity money for CDCs to New Jersey’s FY’11 budget.
Preventing Foreclosures: The Foreclosure Filing Fee (A.1759) would provide additional resources for foreclosure counseling and for the purchase of REO properties by assessing an additional $800 per foreclosure filing. This increase will provide approximately $40 million annually, until the foreclosure crisis abates and the fee reverts to its current amount of $200. The Network continues to work with our partners to implement other foreclosure prevention measures, including the Foreclosure Fairness Act to protect tenants’ right to stay in their apartment after foreclosure, and the redirection of Mortgage Stabilization Relief resources. We will continue to work with members to identify gaps in current programs, as we suggest additional mechanisms for preserving neighborhoods and protecting families.
Encouraging Community Schools and Public Private School Partnerships: The Network is advocating for the adoption of amendments to the current school facilities construction law in order to increase the development of mixed-use, community schools, which can leverage the public’s investment and strengthen neighborhoods through joint use projects and facilities.
Protecting State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP): In FY09, SRAP was funded at a historic $52.5 million. The Network will lead efforts to keep SRAP funding level in FY11, keeping thousands of recipients in decent homes they can afford. We will also continue to work with DCA to improve the efficiency of the program.
Adopting Smart Housing Incentive Act (A.1752): This legislation creates a voluntary state pilot program designed to encourage municipalities to adopt as-of-right zoning for higher density, mixed income housing that is well located, walkable, and water and energy efficient.
County Homeless Trust Funds: In 2009, the Network and our allies got legislation passed that enables New Jersey’s 21 counties to choose to create their own dedicated trust funds. These funds are needed to support counties’ 10 year plans to end chronic homelessness. To date, seven counties from diverse parts of the state have adopted such resolutions and are already collecting resources to support their plans. Other counties are considering creating these trust funds. The Network will support their efforts through our local Advocacy Teams.
Housing at Earle Naval Weapons Station (A2041/S017): The Network's Monmouth County A-Team will continue to join with veterans to support opportunites to develop affordable housing at Earle by opposing this bill, which would require the State Treasurer to issue a cost benefit analysis and security report for conversion of military housing to civilian housing at Earle, and would place a moratorium on issuance of certain State permits and plan approvals.
Fort Monmouth Revitalization (S.917/A597): This bill will establish the "Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority", granting it a wide range of state powers to revitalize Fort Monmouth, with no requirement to engage local representatives. We support revitalization of Fort Monmouth in ways that address the local need for housing and jobs.
Historic Property Reinvestment Act (A.1851/S.659): provides credits against state taxes for certain costs of rehabilitating historic properties.
Relocation Assistance (A.442/S.554): This critical bill increases state relocation assistance payment levels for families forced to move due to redevelopment, from 1972 levels to current dollars, based on increases in the CPI since 1972. The bill would raise the payment levels over two years, with annual changes indexed to CPI going forward.
Eminent Domain: The Network will follow and work to strengthen any legislation to revise procedures for the use of eminent domain in municipal redevelopment efforts.
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