HOWELL – A fairness hearing on Howell’s affordable housing agreement is now scheduled for 9 a.m. Feb. 6 at the Monmouth County Courthouse, Freehold. The fairness hearing had initially been scheduled for Dec. 3, but was rescheduled for the new year.
Township Council members have authorized agreements with four developers who are planning to construct developments in Howell that will include affordable housing.
Affordable housing is housing that is sold or rented at below market rates to individuals and families whose income meets certain guidelines. Under state court rulings, New Jersey municipalities are required to provide opportunities for the development of affordable housing.
Attorney Andrew Bayer, who represents Howell on matters dealing with affordable housing, reached the agreement with the Fair Share Housing Center, Cherry Hill, which advocates for the construction of affordable housing throughout the state.
Bayer previously said the Fair Share Housing Center sought to establish Howell’s affordable housing obligation at about 1,360 units. He said the agreement the parties reached sets the township’s affordable housing obligation at about 900 units – a savings of about 460 units.
Bayer said if the market rate homes that would have been constructed to subsidize those additional 460 affordable units are taken into account, the settlement represents a savings of 2,000 to 2,500 potential new housing units in Howell.
He said the settlement agreement between Howell and the Fair Share Housing Center is subject to court approval through a fairness hearing.
Howell’s council members have authorized the following projects:
• Howell Family Apartments, a 72-unit apartment complex at West Farms and Fort Plains roads. All 72 apartments will be designated as affordable housing.
• Kenneth Zaback, a 20-acre parcel on Route 9. The development will include 252 market rate housing units and 112 family rental affordable housing units.
• Tyrpak Road Group LLC, a 237-acre parcel bisected by Casino Drive. The development will include 325 market rate housing units and 142 family rental affordable housing units.
• FP Howell LLC (Caruso), Fort Plains Road. The development will include 216 market rate housing units and 92 affordable housing units available for purchase.