BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP
Staff Writer
A proposed North Brunswick ordinance demands more accountability from affordable housing unit owners.
The Township Council will discuss changes to the township’s affordable housing plan during its Monday night workshop meeting after reportedly discovering low- and moderate-income restricted units selling for market value in Governor’s Pointe on Route 1, according to Mayor Francis “Mac” Womack.
“Certain owners of low- and moderate-income units were illegally selling or renting at prices above those permitted by our affordable housing guidelines,” Womack said.
The township’s Affordable Housing Agency discovered address and price discrepancies when officials reviewed the municipal-tax records for affordable-housing owners with units at Governor’s Pointe, Council-woman Rhonda Lyles said.
Lyles, who also sits on the township’s Affordable Housing Committee, brought the discrepancies to the council’s attention and had Township Attorney Ron Gordan draft the proposed amendments.
The township’s affordable housing plan “assures that the township housing units designated for occupancy by low- and moderate-income households remain affordable to and occupied by low and moderate income” households.
According to the plan, North Brunswick has an obligation to provide 489 affordable-housing units for households that fall within percentages of regional median incomes.
The township’s Affordable Housing Agency reportedly receives about eight affordable housing applications per month.
“We’re going to do anything we can to tighten up the plan to make sure affordable housing goes to the people who need it,” Womack said.
The proposed ordinance would change the plan to require owners of low- and moderate-income units to provide notice to the township before selling or renting their units.
Another proposed change requires the purchaser of a restricted unit to occupy it as the principal residence. In the event of a hardship, which a purchaser must prove to the township, a purchaser could lease the unit to a certified household for a period not to exceed one year.
The township’s Code Enforcement Department would investigate all complaints of plan violations. Officials would report any violations to the Affordable Housing Agency for a comprehensive review of the findings, according to the proposed ordinance.
Upon a review of the Code Enforcement Department’s report, the agency would determine whether to issue a notice of violation. In the event of a violation, owners would have 60 days to rectify their situation, according to the proposed ordinance.
Owners found illegally profiting from the overpriced sale or rental of an affordable housing unit would have to pay the difference to the North Brunswick Housing Trust Fund. The owner would also have to pay the tenant’s reasonable relocation costs, as determined by the court, according to the proposed.
Failure to comply with any of the new guidelines, could also result in a fine of no more than $1,250 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed 90 days, or both under the provisions of the proposed ordinance.