SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey lawmakers have advanced legislation to tackle one of the state’s longest-standing problems: the lack of affordable housing.
New Jersey is one of the most expensive states in the country to live and raise a family. Senate Bill S-50 would drastically change the requirements to increase the supply of affordable housing in every town. Austin Edwards, a housing and social justice advocate, says the Senate Budget Committee approving this bill would be a big step in the right direction.
“This bill combats historical patterns of racial segregation by ensuring that all towns contribute towards affordable housing and creating opportunities for black families to live in thriving communities,” he said.
According to Forbes, in 2023, New Jersey residents spent on average just over $2,800 a month on mortgage payments, ranking eighth in the U.S. Land Use & Zoning attorney Jeff Surenian was among those opposed to the bill. He says though there’s no disagreement about the issue of affordability, he does not think this will solve the problem as small towns cannot afford to accommodate thousands of additional residents.
“The impact on infrastructure, on your road system, on your sewage systems, on your water system, is overwhelming,” he said. “We need more affordable housing, but this is not the answer.”
A date to vote on the full bill has not been set.