N.J. Assembly approves ban on shifting low-cost housing

0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, June, 2008 | by Jonathan Tamari Inquirer Trenton Bureau

A plan that could reshape affordable housing in New Jersey by barring wealthy suburbs from shifting their share of low-cost units to poorer neighbors won approval in the state Assembly yesterday. The proposal would ban deals, known as Regional Contribution Agreements (RCAs), that allow some towns to meet affordable-housing mandates by paying their neighbors to build some of the required homes.

The bill could go to Gov. Corzine as soon as next week, when the full Senate is expected to vote on the plan. To critics, the RCAs let wealthy communities skirt affordable-housing rules and concentrate poverty in other areas. But supporters, including both urban and suburban mayors, say the agreements give towns that can't accommodate new development the flexibility to meet their...