Moorestown Housing Element Draft
Who qualifies for affordable housing? Seniors Individuals with Special Needs A new college grad making less than $46,592 A family of 4 making less than $66,560
History of Affordable Housing Mt. Laurel I Establishes that each municipality has a constitutional obligation to provide affordable housing Fair Share Housing Center Established Founded by one of the three attorneys who litigated the Mt. Laurel Decision; their mission is to monitor, enforce, and expand the Mt Laurel Decision Mt. Laurel II Requires municipalities to submit housing plans Fair Housing Act Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) is established to implement housing plans
History of Affordable Housing in Moorestown 100% Compliance for COAH Round 1 and 2 332 units created Creation of MEND 1969: Prior to Mt. Laurel Decisions 3 rd Round plan submitted No plans were approved because rules were not established by COAH Planning and Transparency Housing element created through inclusive process Regional Contribution Agreements Payments to towns in need of affordable housing Protect Against Builder s Remedy Legal action taken by a property developer to force a municipality to permit the construction of dense housing, including a set aside for affordable housing
History of Affordable Housing Moorestown Amended Round 1 Substantive Certification Moorestown Achieves Round 1 Substantive Certification Moorestown Achieves Round 2 Substantive Certification Moorestown Adopts Round 3 Plans COAH Round 1 COAH Round 2 COAH Round 3 1987 1988 1991 1993 1997 1999 2005 2008
History of Affordable Housing FSHC Motion FSHC files motion to compel the State to adopt rules COAH Fails to Adopt 3 rd Round Rules Supreme Court Decision COAH Round 3 rules are adopted and overturned twice COAH Methodology is invalidated. New rules are ordered to be adopted Mt Laurel IV Decision Supreme Court transfers approval of housing plans to Courts COAH Round 3 2013 2014 2015 2025
The New Jersey Supreme Court mandated that every municipality in the state has an affordable housing obligation The Current Process for Affordable Housing The court process constrains public discussion Interveners Developers sue a municipality to permit the construction of market rate and affordable housing, or similarly interested parties who wish to intercede in the litigation, such as FSHC The courts shall approve housing plans, with appointment of a Court- Special Master Any future multifamily development over 5 units must have 20% set aside for affordable housing
Current number of households in Moorestown: 7,950 1667 School crowding $283,500,000 Stress on infrastructure Demands on police and fire Increased traffic Total: 6000 units (approximate)
Neither of these options work for Moorestown $283,500,000 6000 units (approximate)
Limit financial obligation to town Protect fabric of town Our Considerations Limit stress on our infrastructure (roads, water and sewer, etc.) Build affordable housing the Moorestown way Limit the impact to schools
Our Options Accept the number Create approximately 6,000 total new households Fight In Court Unknown resolution Lose control Costs 1667? Negotiate We We control our destiny Lower obligation Lower obligation Compliance flexibility Compliance flexibility
Strategies We ve Used Negotiate with FSHC Strategic Partnerships Renew Credit for Existing Units 100% Affordable vs. Inclusionary Zoning Explore All Types of Affordable Housing Vacant Land Adjustment
Vacant Land Adjustment Identify vacant and developable land Calculate potential capacity of development Major Advantages: Eliminate parcels not appropriate for affordable development Known, smaller obligation Moorestown s future obligation will be controlled by Moorestown
1667 1167 Results of the Vacant Land Adjustment 606 300 Unmet Need Addressed through inclusionary zoning overlays
Meeting Our Obligation 1667 1167 606-117 -152 337 Renew Expiring Controls & Surplus Credits Maximize Bonus Credits
Our Tenets for Meeting our Remaining Obligation Maintaining Moorestown s Inclusivity Fiscally Responsible Minimal Impact to the Community
Our Options Accept 1667 Build as many as 6,000 total new households Fight In Court Unknown resolution Lose control Costs 1667? Negotiate We control our destiny Lower obligation We control our destiny Lowest Vacant obligation Land Adjustment Vacant Land Adjustment Compliance flexibility Compliance flexibility
Why we are Seeking a Settlement Compliance flexibility Vacant Land Adjustment Limit costs Lower obligation Control our destiny