(TRENTON) – In anticipation of Wednesday’s Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee hearing on affordable housing, Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Jerry Green (D-Union/Middlesex/Somerset) today said he is looking forward to hearing what plans Gov. Christie has to tackle this pressing issue, which makes finding decent, reasonable housing a hard task for many in New Jersey.
“Both houses supported legislation (A-2950 and A-2168) that I sponsored to create more affordable housing in the state, but both bills were vetoed by the governor. If these bills were not sufficient for the governor, I’m interested in hearing how he proposes to mend this problem.
“I have yet to receive any information about what the administration or the Department of Community Affairs plans to do on this issue. It’s no secret that New Jersey is one of the most expensive states in the nation to live in. It’s time to do what the governor has been proclaiming across the state and work together to ensure there is reasonable housing for all New Jerseyans. It’s too important of an issue in New Jersey for us not to.
“People should not be concerned about not being able to afford a roof over their heads, so I eagerly await to hear from the administration on how we can put politics aside and work on a real, viable solution. Taking money away from municipalities that’s meant to help create affordable housing for low-income families, in order to plug holes in their budget is not it.”
The committee will take testimony on the Christie administration’s effort to raid $161 million in affordable housing money from municipalities to plug in holes in its budget. The Legislature tried to stop Gov. Christie’s plan with legislation (A-2950) and budget language, but Christie vetoed both.
The Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee will meet on Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in Committee Room 16, on the 4th Floor of the State House Annex in Trenton.
Audio of the hearing will be streamed at http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/media/live_audio.asp,