Gibbsboro City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VI
Affordable Housing Procedural and Eligibility Requirements
§ 400-44 Purpose, applicability and general provisions.
The purpose of this article is to implement the Uniform Housing Affordability Controls (N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.1 et seq.) and the regulations of the New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing (N.J.A.C. 5:94-1 et seq.), as they may be amended or superseded. The article is designed to implement the New Jersey Fair Housing Act (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-301 et seq.) by assuring that affordable housing created under the Act is occupied by low- and moderate-income households, affirmatively marketed, for the appropriate period of time. The words, phrases, and terms herein shall be interpreted to have the same meanings and usages as in the Act and related regulations.
§ 400-45 Affordability average; bedroom distribution.
A.
In each affordable development, at least 50% of the restricted units within each bedroom distribution shall be low-income units and the remainder may be moderate-income units.
B.
Affordable developments that are not age-restricted shall be structured in conjunction with realistic market demands such that:
(1)
The combined number of efficiency and one-bedroom units is no greater than 20% of the total low- and moderate-income units;
(2)
At least 30% of all low- and moderate-income units are two-bedroom units;
(3)
At least 20% of all low- and moderate-income units are three bedroom units; and
(4)
The remainder, if any, may be allocated at the discretion of the developer.
C.
Age-restricted low- and moderate-income units may utilize a modified bedroom distribution. At a minimum, the number of bedrooms shall equal the number of age-restricted low- and moderate-income units within the affordable development. The standard may be met by creating all one-bedroom units or by creating a two-bedroom unit for each efficiency unit.
D.
The maximum rent for affordable units within each affordable development shall be affordable to households earning no more than 60% of median income and the average rent for low- and moderate-income units shall be affordable to households earning no more than 52% of median income. The developers and/or municipal sponsors of restricted rental units shall establish at least one rent for each bedroom type for both low-income and moderate-income units, provided that at least 10% of all low- and moderate-income units shall be affordable to households earning no more than 35% of median income.
E.
The maximum sales price of restricted ownership units within each affordable development shall be affordable to households earning no more than 70% of median income. Each affordable development shall achieve an affordability average of 55% for restricted ownership units. In achieving this affordability average, moderate-income ownership units shall be available for at least three different prices for each bedroom type, and low-income ownership units shall be available for at least two different prices for each bedroom type.
F.
Affordable units shall utilize the same type of heating source as market units within the affordable development.
G.
The facade of an affordable housing unit shall be indistinguishable from those of market units in terms of the use of exterior materials, windows, doors, reveal, roof pitch, color, or other material. Affordable housing units shall be interspersed with market rate housing to the greatest extent possible.
H.
Master deeds of inclusionary developments shall regulate homeowner, condominium or cooperative fees and special assessments paid by low- and moderate-income buyers to at least 1/3 of the amount paid by market unit purchasers. The actual percentage set in the master deed shall be determined by the Borough Council after recommendation by the Affordable Housing Compliance Officer.
§ 400-46 Occupancy standards.
A.
In determining the initial rents and initial sales prices for compliance with the affordable average requirements for restricted units other than assisted living facilities, the following standards shall be used:
(1)
A studio shall be affordable to a one-person household.
(2)
A one bedroom unit shall be affordable to a one-and-one-half-person household.
(3)
A two-bedroom unit shall be affordable to a three-person household.
(4)
A three-bedroom unit shall be affordable to a four-and-one-half-person household.
(5)
A four-bedroom unit shall be affordable to a six-person household.
B.
For assisted living facilities, the following standards shall be used:
C.
In referring certified households to specific restricted units, to the extent feasible, and without causing an undue delay in occupying the unit, the administrative agent shall strive to:
D.
Size of units. The size of affordable housing units shall be a minimum of the following gross square footage:
Type of Unit | Minimum Size (square feet) | |
|---|---|---|
Efficiency | 500 | |
1-bedroom | 600 | |
2-bedroom | 750 | |
3-bedroom | 900 |
E.
Certificates of occupancy. The following additional requirements for the issuance of certificates of occupancy shall apply to inclusionary developments:
Percent of Affordable Housing Units Completed | Percent of Market Housing Units Completed | |
|---|---|---|
0% | 25% | |
10% | 25% + one unit | |
50% | 50% | |
75% | 75% | |
100% | 90% |
§ 400-47 Ownership units.
A.
Each restricted ownership unit shall remain subject to the requirements of the Uniform Housing Affordability Controls (N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.1 et seq.) until the Borough of Gibbsboro elects to release the unit from such requirements pursuant to action taken in compliance with N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.5(g). Prior to such municipal election, a restricted ownership unit shall remain subject to the requirements of N.J.A.C. 5-80-26.5, for a period of at least 30 years.
B.
Each restricted ownership unit shall remain in compliance with and subject to the requirements of the Uniform Housing Affordability Controls, N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.5 for control periods, N.J.A.C.5:80-26.6 for price restrictions, N.J.A.C.5:80-26.7 for buyer income eligibility, N.J.A.C.5:80-26.8 for limitations on indebtedness and subordination, N.J.A.C.5:80-26.9 for capital improvements, and N.J.A.C.5:80- 26.10 for maintenance.
§ 400-48 Rental units.
A.
Each restricted rental unit shall remain subject to the requirements of the Uniform Housing Affordability Controls until the Borough of Gibbsboro elects to release the unit from such requirement pursuant to action taken in compliance with N.J.A.C.5:80-26.11(e). Prior to such a municipal election, a restricted rental unit shall remain subject to the requirements of N.J.A.C.5:80-26.11, for a period of 30 years.
B.
Each restricted rental unit shall remain in compliance with and subject to the requirements of the Uniform Housing Affordability Controls, N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.11 for control periods, N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.12 for restrictions on rents, and N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.13 for tenant income eligibility.
§ 400-49 Administrative agent.
A.
Each income-restricted unit identified in Gibbsboro Borough's Fair Share Housing Plan shall have a designated administrative agent. The affordability controls set forth in this article shall be administered and enforced by the administrative agent. The primary responsibility of the administrative agent shall be to ensure that the restricted units under administration are sold or rented, as applicable, only to low- and moderate-income households. Among the responsibilities of the administrative agent are those outlined under N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.14. The Borough of Gibbsboro shall administratively approve the designated administrative agent.
B.
The Gibbsboro Borough Affordable Housing Compliance Officer, Housing Affordability Service (HAS) or other experienced administrative agent approved by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, the New Jersey Housing Mortgage Finance Agency or COAH may administer the affordability controls pursuant to the Fair Housing Act.
C.
The administrative agent shall have the responsibility to income qualify low- and moderate-income households, to place income-eligible households in low- and moderate-income units upon initial occupancy, to provide for the initial occupancy of low- and moderate-income units with income-qualified households, to continue to qualify households for reoccupancy of units as they become vacant during the period of affordability controls, to assist with advertising and outreach to low- and moderate-income households, and to enforce the terms of the deed restriction and mortgage loan. The administrative agent will provide counseling services to low- and moderate-income applicants on subjects such as budgeting, credit issues, mortgage qualification, rental lease requirements and landlord/tenant law.
D.
In addition, the Borough of Gibbsboro hereby designates the Borough Planner, or designee, as the Affordable Housing Compliance Officer to act as liaison between COAH, the municipality, and developer or sponsor of affordable housing. The municipal liaison shall be responsible for tracking the progress of affordable housing, fielding inquiries regarding affordable housing from the public and COAH, and complying with COAH monitoring and reporting requirements.
§ 400-50 Affirmative marketing.
A.
The affirmative marketing plan is a regional marketing strategy designed to attract buyers and/or renters of all majority and minority groups, regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital, or familial status, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, disability, age or number of children to housing units which are being marketed by a developer or sponsor of affordable housing. The Borough of Gibbsboro's affirmative marketing plan addresses the requirements of N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.15. Gibbsboro Borough is located in COAH Housing Region 5 that consists of Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester Counties. The affirmative marketing program is a continuing program that shall meet the requirements set forth in this article.
B.
The affirmative marketing plan is intended to be used by all developers of affordable housing restricted to low- and moderate-income households located within the Borough of Gibbsboro. Information provided in the marketing of low- and moderate-income units shall contain the name, address, directions (to the project), the number of units (including the number of sales and/or rental units), a range of prices or the price of sales and/or rental units, the name of the sales agent and/or rental manager along with their business hours when applications may be obtained and directions to their office, a description of the size (in bedrooms) of the units and of the random selection method that shall be used to select occupants, a disclosure of required application fee(s), and the maximum income permitted to qualify for the housing units. Advertising and outreach shall take place during the first week of the marketing program and each month thereafter until all of the affordable units have been leased or sold.
C.
Location of applications. Applications, brochures, signs, and/or posters shall be located at the Gibbsboro Municipal Building, Camden County Human Services Department and respective sales and rental offices. Applications shall also be mailed to prospective applicants upon request.
D.
The media and outreach sources to be used in advertising and publicizing of the availability of housing in the affirmative marketing plan shall include the following:
(1)
Newspapers of general circulation within the housing region. All newspaper articles, announcements, and requests for applications for low- and moderate-income units shall appear in the following daily publications: Courier Post.
(2)
Radio and television stations within the housing region. Public service announcements shall be made through the use of the following radio stations broadcasting throughout the region: WWJZ (640.0) Mount Holly Radio Company, WGLS (89.7) Rowan University of New Jersey and WDBK (91.5) Camden County College.
(3)
Other publications circulated within the housing region. All newspaper articles, announcements, and requests for applications for low- and moderate-income housing shall appear in the following neighborhood-oriented weekly newspapers: The Record Breeze and Renters Guide Weekly.
(4)
Employers throughout the housing region. The following employers, or employers of similar size, will be contacted for the posting of advertisements and the distribution of flyers regarding available affordable housing: Lockheed Martin Corp. (Moorestown), PHH Mortgage (Mt. Laurel), West Jersey Hospital (Voorhees), WalMart Corp. (Berlin) and Lowe's Home Improvement (Lawnside).
(5)
Community outreach. The following is a listing of community contact person(s) and/or organizations in Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties that will aid in soliciting low- and moderate-income applicants, with particular emphasis on contacts that will reach out to groups that are least likely to be reached by commercial media efforts: Area Chapter of the NAACP (Bordentown), SASCA Hispanic Social Service Center (Willingboro), Interfaith Hospitality Network (Mt. Laurel), Family Services of Camden County, Servicios Latinos de Burlington County (Mt. Holly), Camden Churches Organized for People (Camden), Powhatan Renape Nation (Rancocas), Fair Housing Center (Cherry Hill), Burlington County Department of Economic Development (Woodbury).
(6)
Other advertising and outreach efforts. The following groups in the Gibbsboro region will be sent information circulars and applications: Camden County Board of Realtors in Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties, Welfare or Human Services Boards in Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties, Rental Assistance Office (Local office of DCA), Camden County Office of Aging, Catholic Charities (Diocese of Camden) and Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey (Trenton).
(7)
The affirmative marketing process for available affordable units shall begin at least four months prior to expected occupancy. In implementing the marketing program, the administrative agent shall undertake all of the following strategies:
E.
The developer of an inclusionary housing development shall be responsible for the initial selling and rental price calculations, affirmative marketing requirements and qualification of buyers or renters upon approval by the affordable housing program administrator pursuant to these regulations. In implementing the affirmative marketing plan and other requirements, each developer shall be considered an administrative agent. The administrative agent shall designate an experienced staff member approved by COAH to provide counseling services to low- and moderate-income applicants on subjects such as budgeting, credit history, mortgage qualifications, rental lease agreements, and landlord/tenant law, as applicable. Alternatively, an administrative agent may refer applicants to an experienced agency approved by COAH to provide such counseling services.
F.
All original applicant and sales records of affordable units be returned to the Borough for reporting purposes and to aid with future resale.
§ 400-51 Household certification and random selection.
A.
The administrative agent shall prepare a standardized form of certification and shall secure all information from applicant households necessary and appropriate to determine that restricted units are occupied by properly sized households with appropriate low- or moderate-income levels. No household may be referred to a restricted unit, or may receive a commitment with respect to a restricted unit, unless that household has received a signed, dated, and executed certification, as set forth in the Uniform Housing Affordability Controls (N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.16, Applications J and K, as applicable). An initial certification shall be valid for no more than 180 days unless a valid contract for sale or lease has been executed within that time period. In this event certification shall be valid until such time as the contract for sale or lease is ruled invalid and no occupancy has occurred. Certifications may be renewed in writing, at the request of the head of the certified household, for an additional 180 days at the administrative agent's discretion.
B.
When reviewing an applicant's household income to determine eligibility, the administrative agent shall make its determination in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.16. The administrative agent may also require a household to produce documentation of household composition for determining the correct unit size and applicable income level.
C.
The administrative agent may withhold a certificate of eligibility as a result of the applicant's inability to demonstrate sufficient present assets for down payment or security deposit purposes. A certificate of eligibility may also be withheld by the administrative agent as a result of the applicant's inability to verify funds claimed as assets, household composition, or other facts represented. The administrative agent shall deny the certificate of eligibility should it be determined that any willful and material misstatement of fact has been made by an applicant seeking eligibility.
D.
The administrative agent shall employ a random means of selecting households when matching certified applicants to available affordable units. The random selection process shall include the following:
(1)
The administrative agent shall conduct a prequalification review of each application as it is received to determine preliminary income eligibility. All qualified applications are then resealed and held until the date of the advertised random selection drawing. Applicants exceeding the income levels permitted for the type of unit available shall be notified in writing as to their ineligibility for the program.
(2)
Applicants that meet the preliminary income qualification requirements shall be notified by the administrative agent in writing of their eligibility and notified of the date, time and place that the random selection lottery shall occur. The Gibbsboro Affordable Housing Compliance Officer shall also be notified.
(3)
On the day of the lottery, eligible applicants shall be listed in the order selected and placed in applicant pools or waiting lists based upon the type of units available.
(4)
After the random selection process is completed, the applicant first selected shall be given a reasonable number of days to be established by the administrative officer, but no less than two weeks, to express interest or disinterest in the available unit. If the first household is not interested or fails to respond with the time period established, the second applicant shall be given the same time period in which to respond in the same manner. This process shall continue until a certified applicant accepts the unit. Once an applicant accepts an available unit, the administrative agent shall secure all information necessary from applicant households necessary and appropriate to determine that the restricted unit will be occupied by a properly sized household for the number of bedrooms available within the income limits established by the New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing. No household may be referred to a restricted unit, or may receive a commitment with respect to a restricted unit, unless that household has received a signed, dated, and executed certification.
§ 400-52 Procedures for changing administrative agents.
In order to ensure an orderly transfer of control responsibility from a municipality to an administrative agent, from one administrative agent to another administrative agent, or other transfer, the requirements as set forth in N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.17 shall apply as are necessary before or during the transition.
§ 400-53 Enforcement.
A.
Gibbsboro Borough may delegate to its administrative agent the day-to-day responsibility for implementing practices and procedures designated to ensure effective compliance with the controls set forth in this article. Gibbsboro Borough, however, shall retain the ultimate responsibility for ensuring effective compliance with the requirements as set forth in the Uniform Housing Affordability Controls (N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.1 et seq.).
B.
The administrative agent's enforcement responsibility for implementing such practices and procedures shall not be delegated or otherwise transferred to any other party, except to a successor administrative agent.
§ 400-54 Appeals.
Appeals from all decisions of the administrative agent shall be filed in writing with the Executive Director of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency. When acting in this capacity, the Executive Director may appoint one or more employees of the Agency, COAH and/or the Department of Community Affairs to assist him or her in rendering the final decision; whenever he or she, in his or her sole discretion, determines that committee participation would materially provide a fair and just disposition of the appeal. A written decision of the Executive Director upholding, modifying or reversing an administrative agent's decision shall be a final administrative action.