New Jersey § 52:9rr-1

§ 52:9rr-1.

The Legislature finds and declares: a. It has been more than twenty years since the Legislature enacted the “Fair Housing

Act,” P.L.1985, c. 222 ( C.52:27D-301 et al.) which provides a voluntary system for municipalities to follow in zoning

for affordable housing. Since the time of the enactment of this law, there has not been a unified review

by the Legislature of the administration of the “ Fair Housing Act,” or a review of

the issue of housing availability and affordability in general. b. Soaring housing prices, escalating property taxes, increasing municipal fees, rising

energy costs, and the costs to implement various State rules and regulations have

put housing out of the reach of many citizens, particularly senior citizens on fixed

incomes. c. Available land to develop is rapidly dwindling, causing many experts to predict

that New Jersey will be “built-out” by the end of the next decade. New Jersey currently is the most densely populated State in the nation. d. Conflicting public policies on land use and planning have resulted in a lack of

a coordinated approach by the State in addressing the issues that relate to the availability

of decent, affordable housing for both home buyers and renters. e. There is a need for continued, integrated oversight by the Legislature to review

and shape solutions to address the State's residents' housing needs, and to address

the Legislature's responsibility for the “Fair Housing Act” as an alternative to the

court's remedies granted under the Mount Laurel doctrine.