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

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.

Housing opponents have cited a November OLS analysis to claim it would cost municipalities $2 billion per year to provide affordable housing, but the latest OLS analysis stated that number has been “mischaracterized.”

Roberts asked, among other things, whether the Nov. 14 OLS letter was reviewed by OLS’ budget and finance officer for accuracy.

“No, the letter was not a fiscal note, a fiscal estimate, or an attempt to calculate the cost to municipalities” of meeting the latest state housing requirements, OLS responded on Dec. 5.

The new analysis also noted how the previous study didn’t consider how private builders can provide housing and assumed housing construction would be entirely paid for by the government.

“Opponents are assuming an absurd premise that will never happen,” Roberts said. “In fact, state law clearly says that municipalities need only zone for fair housing and nothing requires them to raise or expend money to provide it.”

The new OLS analysis also highlighted how the previous analysis failed to consider how housing can be provided through affordability controls, converting nonresidential space into homes and creating accessory apartments and group homes.

“It would not be possible to estimate the individual municipal costs of producing affordable housing under all of the methods available,” the Dec. 5 analysis stated. “Again, we emphasize that OLS was not asked to provide an accurate cost estimate of producing affordable housing under the council’s rules and we regret that the letter has been represented in that regard.”

Roberts on Monday asked the state Council on Affordable Housing to give municipalities at least 90 more days to file their housing plans.

COAH has given the towns until Dec. 31, but Roberts and Assembly Housing and Local Government Chairman Jerry Green said changing regulations, the economic woes and new wastewater management rules means towns should get more time.

“We are committed to maximizing affordable housing opportunities in New Jersey and are mindful that many communities are struggling to adapt to historic changes,” Roberts said. “But as we work our way through these concerns to reach our goal, we must debate this issue responsibly and without mischaracterizations.”

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