Senator Sean Kean, R-Monmouth, said he was glad to see that Senators Raymond Lesniak and Kip Bateman are moving forward boldly with hearings on Senate Bill 1, which seeks to abolish the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) and create a fair plan to meet affordable housing goals. Kean noted the move comes after New Jersey’s unemployment rose to 10.1 percent in December – higher than the national average and the highest level in 33 years.

            “So-called ‘affordable’ housing rules are blocking development at a time when New Jersey desperately needs the jobs these projects should create,” Senator Kean said. “These rules also will force towns to raise property taxes to pay for housing that may not be needed at a time when New Jersey property taxes are already the highest in the nation.”

            Senator Kean said he will work with his colleagues on a bipartisan basis to get the best bill possible, including provisions that would let towns include affordable housing built before the state established law and rules on affordable housing in the 1980s.

            “Towns that were proactive and built affordable housing for residents before it was required by law are punished by these unfair rules,” Senator Kean said. “Any complete reform effort must allow towns to take such housing into account when determining new requirements for housing construction.”