WATSON COLEMAN/CARABALLO BILL TO DEDICATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR WORKING POOR

Measure Would Expand Fair Housing Act to Require One-Fourth of Affordable Housing Units to Be Set Aside For New Jersey's Lowest-Income Families

(TRENTON) - An Assembly Committee today released legislation Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman and Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo sponsored to expand the state's "Fair Housing Act" to set aside at least twenty-five percent of all affordable housing units for New Jersey families who earn the lowest incomes in the state.

"New Jersey is one of the most expensive places to live, making it almost impossible for many working families to realize the dream of owning or renting a decent home," said Watson Coleman (D-Mercer).  "We have an obligation to make sure that New Jersey families struggling to make ends meet have every opportunity to have a clean, safe, and affordable place to call home."

 The legislation (A-1343) would amend the state's "Fair Housing Act" to require that at least twenty-five percent of all units of affordable housing available each year are reserved for very low-income earning New Jersey families.

 "More than one million New Jersey families don't earn enough to afford the rent on an average two bedroom apartment in the state," said Caraballo (D-Essex).  "This bill will ensure that we set aside enough quality housing for New Jersey's most vulnerable families."

 According to a 2006 study released by the Housing and Community Development Network of  New Jersey, the average cost of rent for a two bedroom apartment is $1,058 -- requiring a family to earn over $43,000 to meet the standard that the cost of their rent does not exceed one-third of their income.  The study also demonstrated the uphill battle faced by minimum wage earners; families would need to work three full-time jobs to earn  the $43,000 a year needed to afford the skyrocketing cost of rent in the state.

 "The Fair Housing Act" was established in 1985 following the Mount Laurel decisions that determined that municipalities have a constitutional obligation to provide through its land use regulation a realistic opportunity for a fair share of its region's present and future housing needs for low and moderate income families.
 The bill was released 4 to 1 with one abstention.  It now heads to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post the bill for a floor vote.
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