An 'Example For Other Towns': Fair Share Housing Center Responds To Westfield Settlement

WESTFIELD, NJ — The Fair Share Housing Center showed a great deal of praise for how Westfield is moving forward following their settlement on affordable housing.

On Dec. 9, Mayor Shelley Brindle was authorized by Town Council vote to sign settlements on challenges to Westfield's fourth round affordable housing plan. These included challenges by both developers and the NJ Fair Share Housing Center.

"We're pleased to see Westfield's housing plan move forward, demonstrating how thoughtful, transit-oriented redevelopment can strengthen communities," Josh Bauers, Director of Exclusionary Zoning Litigation at NJ Fair Share Housing Center, said.

The terms in the settlement include recognition of a previously adopted ordinance by the Town that required 50 percent of the units in their affordable housing developments to be for low-income households that earn 50 percent, or less, of the regional median income.

This number includes 13 percent of the units being designated for very low-income households that earn 30 percent or lower of the regional median income.

While still subject to review by the Affordable Housing Dispute Resolution Program and/or a judge, the settlement also outlines requirements for the Town's adequate marketing of these affordable units and logging of information regarding the projects.

"By creating new affordable homes near transit and neighborhood amenities, Westfield is helping expand economic opportunity and improve quality of life for everyone in town," Bauers added.

In March 2024, Governor Phil Murphy signed a law that was aimed at adjusting the way mandatory affordable units are decided across municipalities. Under the state Supreme Court's Mount Laurel doctrine and New Jersey Fair Housing Act, the NJ Department of Community Affairs released its first list of obligations in October 2024.

This included how many low- or moderate-income units were to represent each town's "fair share."

Communities throughout New Jersey argued that this "fair share" of affordable housing brought an unfair burden on the towns. The Fair Share Housing Center called the different efforts from municipalities across the state to fight this more "wealthy communities who have fought affordable housing for decades, every step of the way."

Bauers lauded Westfield after the settlement as "one of New Jersey's more well-resourced communities" and that its "commitment to inclusive growth is especially meaningful and sets an important example for other towns."

The full settlement, courtesy of NJ Fair Share Housing Center, can be read below:

Westfield Settlement by Alexis Tarrazi

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