Washington Town Council Takes Key Step Toward Affordable Housing Compliance

In a crucial move to address affordable housing obligations, the Washington Town Council passed a resolution to comply with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ mandates. The resolution involves the construction of 184 housing units over the next decade, though this number is expected to decrease following a vacant land adjustment.

During the meeting, it was clarified that the current obligation of 184 units is a preliminary figure. The council anticipates a reduction once a vacant land adjustment is completed, bringing the number to a more realistic level. The necessity of passing the resolution was emphasized, as failing to do so could result in the township losing its zoning code and immunity from developer lawsuits. This resolution is the first step in aligning with the amended Fair Housing Act.

One council member raised a query about the township’s standing in ongoing litigation related to affordable housing. It was assured that the resolution would not adversely affect the township’s position in those cases. A timeline was outlined, with February 28th set as the statewide deadline for reviewing any challenges to affordable housing numbers. Final adjustments and official numbers are expected by June.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.

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