New Jersey lawmakers on Monday voted along partisan lines to advance sweeping affordable housing reforms for the state’s municipalities.
The state Assembly voted 51-28 in favor of the bill (A4/S50) that would fundamentally reform affordable housing requirements on cities and towns and replace the state’s Council on Affordable Housing with a new panel to resolve disputes over housing developments.
The measure — along with four other housing bills — next will go before to the state Senate for its vote. The package now sits in Senate committee.
The main bill has been supported by state Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Senate President Nick Scutari, who argue it is a critical step to addressing New Jersey’s cost of living crisis. But it has drawn fierce opposition from Republicans who claim it will radically reshape rural communities and promote irresponsible development.
