HOWELL – Township officials said they have satisfied the state’s requirement for affordable housing for the next ten years, and now they have to wait for the state’s reply.
Every town in New Jersey is required to provide affordable housing units, stemming from a court decision decades ago that declared the town of Mt. Laurel was zoning poor people out. Since then, the state has made complicated formulas to decide how many units of housing are needed. The fourth round of housing requirements will last from 2025 until 2035.
Jennifer Beahm, PP, AICP, from the firm of Leon S. Avakian, Inc gave a presentation to the Planning Board about the state’s guidelines.
She explained that the State Department of Community Affairs initially said Howell needed 338 units. The town thought it should have been 276. They entered into dispute resolution and negotiated this down to 308 units.
“The Courts agreed. That’s our number,” she said of the settlement.
She then described how the town already has that number either currently built or under construction.
This begins with 63 units of rehabilitating existing affordable housing, she said.
They had eight units credited to them from the last round, which ended in 2025, she said.
They were able to purchase deed restrictions, which took a large chunk out of the total. This is when an affordable housing landlord is paid to keep rent low and keep it affordable. They got four bonus credits out of this process as well.
The town was given 46 credits for group homes in the area. These are residential living spaces for people with disabilities.
Two large developments that are already approved will take care of the rest of the town’s obligation. One property under development is at Howell Road and Okerson Road. Another large piece is at Route 9 and Estelle Lane.
At the end of Beahm’s presentation, she said that this means Howell’s obligation for the next ten years is not only satisfied, but they’ll have seven left over for round 5.
“We’re good until 2035,” she said.
The Planning Board passed a resolution affirming this number and sending it to the Township Council and the state.
A map of affordable housing projects in Howell can be found here.
