Court Again Validates COAH

Denies Motion to Stay December 31st Deadline For Municipalities To Submit 3rd Round Plans

TRENTON – Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Joseph Doria issued the following statement today regarding the Appellate Division of the Superior Court’s ruling that denied a motion by the New Jersey League of Municipalities to stay COAH’s December 31st deadline for municipalities to submit their third round affordable housing plans.  Additionally, the Court denied a request that a special master be charged with facilitating affordable housing in New Jersey.  This marks the second time in two weeks that a request for a special master has been denied by the Court.

“By denying a stay of the December 31st deadline, the Court has not only validated COAH but also paved the way, yet again, for us to move forward in our efforts to provide New Jersey residents with the affordable housing opportunities they need,” said Commissioner Doria.  “As they did two weeks ago, the Court has shown they do not favor a Special Master be appointed to enforce the Fair Housing Act.  Again, I express my sincere hope that all of the interested stakeholders, including the municipalities, the housing advocates, the developers and the state agencies, can now come together and work towards accomplishing both our moral and Constitutional obligation to provide affordable housing for the citizens of our state.”

The Court’s decisions validate the open and transparent process that COAH developed as a result of a January 2007 Appellate Court ruling that overturned COAH's first set of third round regulations.

COAH, an affiliate of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, facilitates the production of sound, affordable housing for low and moderate income households by providing the most effective process to municipalities, housing providers, nonprofit and for profit developers to address a constitutional obligation within the framework of sound, comprehensive planning.

Further information on COAH’s revised rules is available by logging on to http://www.nj.gov/dca/affiliates/coah/.