The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (“NJSEA”), as the planning and zoning authority for lands within the Hackensack Meadowlands District (“District”), has the responsibility to plan and zone for the development of affordable housing to ensure that the constituent municipalities of the District can meet their affordable housing obligations.
In response to this mandate, the NJSEA may utilize the following provisions to accommodate and promote affordable housing development in the District:
INTERIM POLICIES AND SITE SUITABILITY GUIDELINES
The NJSEA utilizes the Interim Policies Governing Affordable Housing Development in the Meadowlands District, effective July 24, 2008, and last revised July 27, 2011 (“Interim Policies”) to advance the production of affordable housing production in the District. The Interim Policies may halt development on sites deemed suitable for residential use unless the applicant meets specified affordable housing requirements; allow increased residential densities and other bonuses to compensate for the lower sale prices or rents required for the affordable units; and ensure that residential development is consistent with all applicable State requirements for affordable housing development. The Interim Policies also include a procedure wherein properties that are not zoned for residential use could potentially be deemed suitable sites to accommodate inclusionary housing on a case-by-case basis.
STATUTORY SET-ASIDES
Pursuant to P.L. 2008, Chapter 46, enacted into law on July 17, 2008, regional planning authorities, including the NJSEA, are required to identify and coordinate regional affordable housing opportunities in cooperation with municipalities in areas with convenient access to infrastructure, employment opportunities, and public transportation. In addition, new residential development within the District must include at least 20 percent of the units as affordable units.
Planning goals and objectives for housing in the District have been established in the Hackensack Meadowlands District Master Plan Update 2020. The NJSEA staff is currently conducting research on the state of housing in the District in preparation for a comprehensive affordable housing study and new master plan in 2030.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING RESOURCES
Affordable housing is administered by a wide variety of organizations and agencies to income-qualified households*. Many District municipalities have a municipal housing liaison who can direct applicants to affordable housing. Persons interested in applying for affordable housing should contact the applicable municipality.
New Jersey State affordable housing resources include:
New Jersey Housing Resource Center
The New Jersey Housing Resource Center is an online, searchable database of affordable housing in the State.
New Jersey Guide to Affordable Housing
The New Jersey Guide to Affordable Housing lists income-restricted affordable housing units for rent and for sale in New Jersey.
* Current Regional Income Limits established by the State’s Uniform Housing Affordability Controls are available from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency at https://www.nj.gov/dca/hmfa/about/uhac/