Emergency Affordable Housing Meeting Being Held In Cranford Monday

CRANFORD, NJ — The Township of Cranford is holding what they called an "emergency" remote public meeting on Monday night to discuss affordable housing litigation.

The special Township Committee meeting is set to include a vote on Resolution 2025-41, which approves a settlement with the Fair Share Housing Center regarding Cranford's Affordable Housing obligation.

On June 26, the Cranford Planning Board adopted a revised plan to meet the municipality's Fourth Round Affordable Housing requirements under the Mount Laurel Doctrine.

The Fair Share Housing Center, an equal opportunity housing advocate group, then filed a challenge on Aug. 31 against the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan.

Among the concerns raised were the number of residential units being labeled as "affordable," an age restriction cap for residents of certain units, and the number of units that are available to families with children.

The general public is welcome to join the meeting beginning at 7 p.m. on Zoom.

Click the Zoom link to enter the room and enter a passcode of 488243.

If you would like to listen by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and enter a webinar ID of 955 4015 0143.

Under the terms, all ordinances and resolutions concerning the Fourth Round obligations must be adopted by March 15, 2026.

The Fair Share Housing Center is an advocacy group that fights to enforce the Mount Laurel Doctrine in New Jersey. These regulations prohibit municipalities from creating special zoning that blocks access to affordable housing units.

Over the last 10 years, the FSHC has settled cases with more than 340 towns that will lead to a total of around 50,000 more affordable homes.

View The Full Resolution Here

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