MEDIA RELEASE

Housing Advocates Applaud Senate for Delaying Scheduled Vote on S.1

Amendments, Task Force Report Sought; Process Questioned

For immediate release:                      For more information, contact:

       March 22, 2010                                                Adam Gordon, Fair Share Housing Center

                                                                                                 856/577-7043 adamgordon@fairsharehousing.org

                                                                                                                             Staci Berger, Housing & Community Development Network of NJ

                                                                           732/406-7604, sberger@hcdnnj.org

TRENTON, NJ – Housing advocates applauded members of the Senate for delaying today’s scheduled vote on S.1, the proposal advanced by Senator Raymond Lesniak (D-20) that would gut the state’s current housing policy and reduce the number of homes built near jobs and transit.  Amendments were being introduced on the floor, and Senate rules prohibit the body from voting on changes the same day they are introduced.

“We applaud members of the Senate for listening to their constituents and the broad array of organizations opposed to Sen. Lesniak’s bill in its current form.  We hope that these amendments improve the most egregious elements of this bill, including the luxury condos provision, the developer fee giveaway and the gigantic loopholes that will prevent New Jersey from building the homes that people need,” said Staci Berger, director of advocacy and policy for the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey.  “We look forward to seeing the proposed changes.”

The advocates questioned whether Sen. Lesniak’s proposal still has momentum, given Governor Christie’s sudden revocation of Executive Order 12 last Friday afternoon.  That order was supposed to shut down the Council on Affordable Housing and established the Governor’s Task Force on Housing Opportunities.  The courts ordered COAH to stay open, and oral arguments on the Order were scheduled for today.  The latter was canceled as a result of Friday’s actions.  In his statement, Gov. Christie noted that the Task Force has completed its work and submitted its report.

“Governor Christie has realized that his actions were illegal and unconstitutional,” Kevin Walsh, Associate Director of Fair Share Housing Center said. “He has rescinded his order in an attempt to avoid defending his actions before the courts.”

The groups said they have tried to obtain a copy of the Task Force’s report, but thus far have not received it. 

“The process for housing reform in both the Senate and with the Governor’s Task Force seems to have gone off track.  Going forward, we urge the Legislature and the Executive Branch to fully open the discussion of the housing policy New Jersey needs to all stakeholders and not just the special interests,” said Adam Gordon, staff attorney for Fair Share Housing Center.

Dozens of groups have issued letters to members of the Senate in the last few days, urging the Senate to delay today’s vote.  The organizations include civil rights, clergy, special needs housing providers, non-profit housing developers, tenant advocates, planners and environmentalists.

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