housing

Senator Steve Oroho, R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon, said he has appealed the Corzine administration's refusal to release a report on housing growth that was presented to the State Planning Commission in March. The study reportedly shows that the Council on Affordable Housing grossly overestimated how much so-called "affordable" housing is needed in New Jersey. Oroho filed his appeal with the New Jersey Government Records Council.

Governor Corzine shouldn't take four months to develop a response to a housing ruling that will lead to expensive lawsuits and strong pressures to raise property taxes. 

Our Communities, Our Schools, Our Taxes –

Not Trenton's and Not the Court's

Senator Menendez writes Geithner on concerns stemming from hearing last week

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today urged Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to more effectively bring mortgage servicers and lenders in line with the administration’s loan modification program meant to prevent millions of home foreclosures. In his letter to Geithner, Menendez listed a number of concerns that were raised during a hearing on the loan modification program, which he helped chair last week. Menendez is the Chairman of the Banking Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation and Community Development.

“The foreclosure crisis has not only devastated millions of families, but it is the root of our global financial crisis that eliminated millions of jobs and forced millions more families to struggle,” wrote Menendez. “If we can help keep responsible families in their homes, we can help solidify our economy.  Successfully implementing the administration’s loan modification program should be at the top of our list of housing priorities.”

WATSON COLEMAN, NEW JERSEY FUTURE ANNOUNCE
BILL TO 'BUILD NOT JUST HOMES, BUT NEIGHBORHOODS'
Measure Would Incentivize Local Planning Decisions that Create
Affordable, Walkable, Environmentally Sound Development

(TRENTON) - Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman has introduced legislation to promote and incentivize local zoning initiatives that encourage the development of environmentally sound, economically diverse and easily accessible neighborhoods.

OLS BLASTS MISUSE OF ITS OWN OPINION; SAYS $2 BILLION FIGURE ‘MISCHARACTERIZED’

Speaker Again Calls for Responsible Housing Debate

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts Jr. today again called on those debating New Jersey’s housing crisis to do so responsibly after a new nonpartisan analysis conceded a previous study didn’t account for the many ways municipalities can provide affordable housing.

In fact, the analysis by the Office of Legislative Services emphasized how state law clearly explains that no municipality shall be required to raise or spend taxpayer money to provide low- and moderate-income housing.

TOP ASSEMBLY LEADERS: GIVE TOWNS MORE TIME TO SUBMIT HOUSING PLANS

Cite changing regulations, slumping economy, environmental concerns

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. and Assembly Housing and Local Government Chairman Jerry Green today sent a letter to the state Council on Affordable Housing asking it to give municipalities more time to submit housing plans.

COAH has given municipalities until Dec. 31 to submit their plans.

Roberts and Green, who is also Assembly speaker pro tempore, asked it to extend that deadline by at least 90 days.

WATSON COLEMAN WELCOMES EFFORT TO PROMOTE BENEFITS OF HOUSING REFORMS

(TRENTON) – Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman today welcomed plans by housing and community advocates to launch a statewide campaign to spread the truth about recent housing reforms and demonstrate how the changes are improving lives across New Jersey.

Senator gives 100% support to the League of Municipalities as it challenges unworkable and unaffordable housing rules.

ROBERTS: ANYTHING LESS THAN COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING REFORM WILL NOT BE POSTED IN ASSEMBLY

(TRENTON) - Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. today said legislation released by the Senate Economic Growth Committee (S-1783) to allow the assessment of  municipal development fees on non-residential construction to fund affordable housing would not be posted in the Assembly.