New Jersey Housing Laws Take Effect in January

New affordable housing regulations will require cities to submit plans outlining how they will meet housing demand in their jurisdictions.

1 minute read

September 27, 2024, 6:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Gold dome of New Jersey state capitol building.

pabrady63 / Adobe Stock

New affordable housing laws go into effect in New Jersey starting in January 2025, promising major changes to affordable housing development in the state. 

As Kimberly Izar explains in Next City, “In March, Governor Murphy signed a bill that amends the state’s fair housing laws to increase affordable housing and strengthen enforcement of the Mount Laurel Doctrine, a constitutional mandate first set by the New Jersey Supreme Court in 1975.” 

The law is similar to California’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment, which calculates how much housing cities need to build to meet demand and requires them to submit plans for how they will create sufficient affordable housing. Cities impacted by the doctrine could see more diverse housing types and multi-family buildings, which could help make housing more affordable for low- and moderate-income families. 

The state budget, meanwhile, includes a $10 million investment in boosting accessory dwelling units. “The recent piece of legislation will distribute up to $1 million to at least 10 towns or cities ready to increase accessory dwelling units.”

Thursday, September 26, 2024 in Next City

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

MARTA train tracks run in the middle of a six lane highway with an overpass and the Buckhead city skyline of skyscrapers in the background.

How Would Project 2025 Affect America’s Transportation System?

Long story short, it would — and not in a good way.

September 29, 2024 - Marcelo Remond

People in large plaza in front of Zurich Opera House in Switzerland.

But... Europe

European cities and nations tend to have less violent crime than the United States. Is government social welfare spending the magic bullet that explains this difference?

September 26, 2024 - Michael Lewyn

Aerial view of Rancho Mirage, California with homes in foreground and snowy San Gabriel Mountains in background.

First Model Homes Revealed in Disney-Built Community

Disney’s Cotino, in the Southern California desert, is the first of the company’s ‘Storybook Living’ developments.

October 2, 2024 - Newsweek

Red car turning right on red light.

Banning Right Turns on Red Just One Step Toward Vision Zero

Experts caution that blanket bans on right turns on red make only a slight contribution to reducing fatal crashes, and other interventions are needed to bring down traffic fatalities.

1 hour ago - Smart Cities Dive

Brick New York City apartment buildings with fire escapes.

Hundreds of Thousands of Housing Units Could Lose Affordability

As the 30-year term of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit expires for many affordable housing units, the families living there face steep rent hikes and evictions.

2 hours ago - Associated Press

Rendering of aerial view of expanded Exposition Park in central Los Angeles with multiple sports stadiums and park facilities.

Exposition Park’s $351.5 Million Transformation

This revitalization will create vital green spaces, improve accessibility, and enhance connections with community, making Exposition Park a central hub for recreation and culture in Los Angeles.

October 7 - Los Angeles Times

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research

Regional Rail at Mpact Transit + Community 2024

Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)

Cornell's Department of City and Regional Planning Announces Undergraduate and Graduate Program Information Sessions and Application Details

Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP), the Department of City and Regional Planning (CRP)