Jasey, Wimberly & Chaparro Bill to Modernize Affordable Housing Market with Online Access to Available Units Signed into Law

(TRENTON) – Currently under the “Fair Housing Act,” the developers or administrative agents of the affordable units must market their units through newspaper and radio or television, but digital marketing is not explicitly required.  Legislation sponsored by Assembly Members Mila Jasey (D-Essex, Morris), Benjie Wimberly (D- Bergen, Passaic), and Annette Chaparro (D-Hudson) requiring affordable housing developers to advertise vacancies and waitlist openings on the New Jersey Housing Resource Center affordable housing listing portal is now law.

The sponsors issued the following statement on the signing of the bill:

    “The new law will help to modernize the marketing of New Jersey’s affordable housing. This is 2020 and most individuals looking for new homes are conducting their housing searches online. The “Fair Housing Act” should reflect this change and meet residents’ needs. There is already a place for posting available homes under the Housing Resource Center; however, this law builds on existing resources and requires a supportive marketing plan. This new law increases access and makes it easier for residents who need affordable housing resources to find what they are looking for.”

Now under the law (formerly bill A-2636), the owner, developer, property manager, or other administrative entity required to implement the affirmative marketing plan of a newly constructed development where affordable housing units will be leased or sold for the first time is required to post a listing on the Housing Resource Center.  All municipalities seeking substantive certification or judgment of repose of their Housing Element and Fair Share Plan are required to adopt an affirmative marketing plan and to require conformance to that plan from any developer constructing affordable housing within the municipality.