OROHO: NEW COAH REGS BURN FAMILY REBUILDING AFTER FIRE

Senator Steven Oroho, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee issued the following statement after learning that the Ferraro family of Franklin, Sussex County, must pay thousands of dollars in "affordable housing" fees before they can rebuild their home after a tragic fire:

"Only the Trenton Democrats would come up with a scheme for 'affordable' housing that makes it more expensive for a family to rebuild a home after a fire. This is not a redevelopment or a demolition; the Ferraro family is simply trying to rebuild their lives after a fire destroyed their home and killed their dog.

"Apparently, the new regulations permit restoration work on the Ferraro's home to be classified as a demolition, triggering a required affordable housing fee. The new regulations state that, '[D]demolitions are a source of secondary housing demand, as they eliminate housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income households.' (5:93-2.9 Demolitions)

"These new rules have confused and burdened communities throughout the state with absurd requirements and tens of billions of dollars in unfunded mandates. It's no wonder that badly needed economic development projects have been stopped dead in their tracks. Now an anguished family apparently will have to pay the government thousands of dollars to recover from a terrible tragedy. This absurd and cruel practice must be stopped.

"The house wasn't vacant and the house wasn't demolished. The house burned to the ground. This was an act of God. I hope that the intent of the affordable housing law wasn't to punish those who suffered a tragedy. Sadly, these regulations were drafted in such a manner to do exactly that.

"Legislators should immediately overturn these ill-conceived and onerous rules. New Jersey can pass affordable housing laws that actually make housing more affordable, not more expensive."