COAH WRAPS UP SUCCESSFUL SERIES ON NEW THIRD ROUND RULES

TRENTON, N.J. – The New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) recently completed a widely attended series of regional information sessions and training seminars for municipal officials, attorneys, professional planners and interested members of the public.  More than 500 people from across the state attended the combined sessions.

Six regional sessions, which were attended by over 280 individuals in June and July, provided a comprehensive overview of COAH’s revised third round rules that went into effect on June 2, 2008, the pending amendments that were proposed on June 16, 2008, and the recent adoption of P.L. 2008, c. 46.  Attendees were able to ask questions and interact with COAH staff regarding methods for meeting affordable housing obligations.

COAH also hosted four all-day seminars in July and August to guide professional planners on how to prepare a third round plan based on the new rules.  More than 240 professional planners and municipal representatives attended the seminars and had the opportunity to ask questions and learn about the new rules and application format. 

Approximately 300 municipalities currently under COAH’s jurisdiction must submit revised third round plans to COAH by December 31, 2008 to retain protection from builder’s remedy lawsuits.  COAH staff remains available to meet with and answer questions for municipal representatives and professional planners to ensure that the plan preparation process goes smoothly and complies with the December submission deadline.

COAH, an affiliate of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, facilitates the production of sound, affordable housing for low and moderate income households by providing the most effective process to municipalities, housing providers, nonprofit and for profit developers to address a constitutional obligation within the framework of sound, comprehensive planning.