Housing advocates cheer controversial bill as builders decry proposed new requirements for high-density developments and question constitutionality
New Jersey would impose, for the first time, a requirement that a quarter of units in many proposed high-density developments be affordable to residents of low- to middle-income under a bill that cleared its first legislative hurdle on Monday. The measure is aimed at trying to ensure that high-demand municipalities in the northeast, in particular, do not displace residents as they redevelop and gentrify.
The controversial bill (A-4414) drew cheers from housing advocates, who lauded its potential for increasing the state’s affordable housing stock, and jeers from builders, who said it could have the opposite effect as prospective developments could be unprofitable and thus not be built. The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee approved the bill with members voting along party lines — Democrats in favor and Republicans in opposition.
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