The purpose of this chapter is to include provisions addressing
the Township of Clinton's constitutional obligation to provide for
its fair share of low- and moderate-income housing, as directed by
the Supreme Court and consistent with N.J.A.C. 5:93-1 et seq., as
amended and supplemented, N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.1 et seq., as amended and
supplemented, and the New Jersey Fair Housing Act of 1985. This chapter
is intended to assure compliance with the regulations of the Council
on Affordable Housing ("COAH") set forth at N.J.A.C. 5:93-1 et seq.,
and the Uniform Housing Affordability Controls, N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.1
et seq., including provisions for unit affordability controls as well
as eligibility for low- and moderate-income households. This chapter
shall apply except where inconsistent with applicable law.
It is the intent of this chapter to regulate the development
and management of low- and moderate-income units constructed in inclusionary
developments in compliance with the Housing Plan Element and Fair
Share Plan of the Township of Clinton.
The following terms when used in this chapter shall have the
meanings given in this section:
ACCESSORY APARTMENT
A self-contained residential dwelling unit with a kitchen,
sanitary facilities, sleeping quarters and a private entrance, which
is created within an existing home, or through the conversion of an
existing structure on the same site, or by an addition to an existing
home or accessory building, or by the construction of a new accessory
structure on the same site.
ACT
The Fair Housing Act of 1985, P.L. 1985, c. 222 (N.J.S.A.
52:27D-301 et seq.).
ADAPTABLE
Constructed in compliance with the technical design standards
of the Barrier Free Subcode, N.J.A.C. 5:23-7.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
The entity designated by the Township to administer affordable
units in accordance with this chapter, the regulations of the Council
on Affordable Housing set forth at N.J.A.C. 5:93 et seq., and the
Uniform Housing Affordability Controls set forth at N.J.A.C. 5:80-26
et seq.
AFFIRMATIVE MARKETING
A regional marketing strategy designed to attract buyers
and/or renters of affordable units pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.15.
AFFORDABILITY AVERAGE
The average percentage of median income at which new restricted
units in an affordable housing development are affordable to low-
and moderate-income households.
AFFORDABLE
A sales price or rent level that is within the means of a
low- or moderate-income household as defined within N.J.A.C. 5:93-7.4,
and, in the case of an ownership unit, that the sales price for the
unit conforms to the standards set forth in N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.6, as
may be amended and supplemented, and, in the case of a rental unit,
that the rent for the unit conforms to the standards set forth in
N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.12, as may be amended and supplemented.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
A development included in or approved pursuant to the Housing
Element and Fair Share Plan or otherwise intended to address the Township's
fair share obligation, and includes, but is not limited to, an inclusionary
development, a municipal construction project or a one-hundred-percent
affordable housing development.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM(S)
Any mechanism in a municipal fair share plan prepared or
implemented to address a municipality's fair share obligation.
AFFORDABLE UNIT
A housing unit proposed or created pursuant to the Fair Housing
Act and approved for crediting by the court and/or funded
through an Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
AGE-RESTRICTED UNIT
A housing unit designed to meet the needs of, and exclusively
for, the residents of an age-restricted segment of the population
such that:
A.
All the residents of the development wherein the unit is situated
are 62 years of age or older; or
B.
At least 80% of the units are occupied by one person who is
55 years of age or older; or
C.
The development has been designated by the Secretary of the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as "housing for older
persons" as defined in Section 807(b)(2) of the Fair Housing Act,
42 U.S.C. § 3607.
AGENCY
The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency established
by P.L. 1983, c. 530 (N.J.S.A. 55:14K-1 et seq.).
ALTERNATIVE LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
A structure in which households live in distinct bedrooms,
yet share kitchen and plumbing facilities, central heat and common
areas. Alternative living arrangements include, but are not limited
to, transitional facilities for the homeless; Class A, B, C, D and
E boarding homes as regulated by the State of New Jersey Department
of Community Affairs; residential health care facilities as regulated
by the New Jersey Department of Health; group homes for the developmentally
disabled and mentally ill as licensed and/or regulated by the New
Jersey Department of Human Services; and congregate living arrangements.
ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE
A facility that is licensed by the New Jersey Department
of Health and Senior Services to provide apartment-style housing and
congregate dining and to assure that assisted living services are
available when needed for four or more adult persons unrelated to
the proprietor and that offers units containing, at a minimum, one
unfurnished room, a private bathroom, a kitchenette and a lockable
door on the unit entrance.
CERTIFIED HOUSEHOLD
A household that has been certified by an administrative
agent as a low-income household or moderate-income household.
COAH
The Council on Affordable Housing, as established by the
New Jersey Fair Housing Act (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-301 et seq.).
DCA
The State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
DEFICIENT HOUSING UNIT
A housing unit with health and safety code violations that
requires the repair or replacement of a major system. A major system
includes weatherization, roofing, plumbing (including wells), heating,
electricity, sanitary plumbing (including septic systems), lead paint
abatement and/or load-bearing structural systems.
DEVELOPER
Any person, partnership, association, company or corporation
that is the legal or beneficial owner or owners of a lot or any land
included in a proposed development, including the holder of an option
to contract to purchase, or other person having an enforceable proprietary
interest in such land.
DEVELOPMENT
The division of a parcel of land into two or more parcels,
the construction, reconstruction, conversion, structural alteration,
relocation, or enlargement of any use or change in the use of any
building or other structure, or of any mining, excavation or landfill,
and any use or change in the use of any building or other structure,
or land or extension of use of land, for which permission may be required
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.
FAIR SHARE PLAN
The Housing Element and Fair Share Plan adopted by the Clinton
Township Planning Board on May 7, 2018, and endorsed by the Mayor
and Council of the Township of Clinton on May 9, 2018.
INCLUSIONARY DEVELOPMENT
A development containing both affordable units and market-rate
units. This term includes, but is not limited to, new construction,
the conversion of a nonresidential structure to residential use and
the creation of new affordable units through the gut rehabilitation
or reconstruction of a vacant residential structure.
LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLD
A household with a total gross annual household income equal
to 50% or less of the regional median household income by household
size.
LOW-INCOME UNIT
A restricted unit that is affordable to a low-income household.
MAJOR SYSTEM
The primary structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical,
fire protection, or occupant service components of a building which
include but are not limited to, weatherization, roofing, plumbing
(including wells), heating, electricity, sanitary plumbing (including
septic systems), lead paint abatement and load-bearing structural
systems.
MARKET-RATE UNITS
Housing not restricted to low- and moderate-income households
that may sell or rent at any price.
MEDIAN INCOME
The median income by household size for the applicable housing
region, as adopted annually by COAH or a successor entity approved
by the court.
MODERATE-INCOME HOUSEHOLD
A household with a total gross annual household income in
excess of 50% but less than 80% of the regional median household income
by household size.
NONEXEMPT SALE
Any sale or transfer of ownership other than the transfer
of ownership between husband and wife; the transfer of ownership between
former spouses ordered as a result of a judicial decree of divorce
or judicial separation, but not including sales to third parties;
the transfer of ownership between family members as a result of inheritance;
the transfer of ownership through an executor's deed to a class A
beneficiary and the transfer of ownership by court order.
RANDOM SELECTION PROCESS
A process by which currently income-eligible households are
selected for placement in affordable housing units such that no preference
is given to one applicant over another except for purposes of matching
household income and size with an appropriately priced and sized affordable
unit (e.g., by lottery).
REGIONAL ASSET LIMIT
The maximum housing value in each housing region affordable
to a four-person household with an income at 80% of the regional median
as defined by duly adopted regional income limits published annually
by COAH or a successor entity.
REHABILITATION
The repair, renovation, alteration or reconstruction of any
building or structure, pursuant to the Rehabilitation Subcode, N.J.A.C.
5:23-6.
RENT
The gross monthly cost of a rental unit to the tenant, including
the rent paid to the landlord, as well as an allowance for tenant-paid
utilities computed in accordance with allowances published by DCA
for its Section 8 program. In assisted living residences, rent does
not include charges for food and services.
RESTRICTED UNIT
A dwelling unit, whether a rental unit or an ownership unit,
that is subject to the affordability controls of N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.1,
as amended and supplemented, but does not include a market-rate unit
financed under UHORP or MONI.
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
The settlement agreement entered into between the Township
of Clinton and Fair Share Housing Center, Inc. on December 13, 2017,
as subsequently amended by agreement dated February 5, 2018, in the
action entitled In re Township of Clinton Compliance with Mount Laurel
Third Round Affordable Housing Obligation, Docket No. HNT-L-315-15.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Clinton, in Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
UHAC
The Uniform Housing Affordability Controls set forth in N.J.A.C.
5:80-26 et seq.
VERY-LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLD
A household with a total gross annual household income equal
to 30% or less of the regional median household income by household
size.
WEATHERIZATION
Building insulation (for attic, exterior walls and crawl
space), siding to improve energy efficiency, replacement storm windows,
replacement storm doors, replacement windows and replacement doors,
and is considered a major system for purposes of a rehabilitation
program.
The Township has determined that it will use the following mechanisms
to satisfy its affordable housing obligations:
A. Rehabilitation program.
(1) The Township shall conduct its rehabilitation program through the
Hunterdon County Housing Rehabilitation Program located at 71 Main
Street, Flemington, NJ 08822.
(2) The Township's rehabilitation program shall be designed to renovate
deficient housing units occupied by low- and moderate-income households
such that, after rehabilitation, these units will comply with the
New Jersey State Housing Code pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:28.
(3) Both owner-occupied and renter-occupied units shall be eligible for
rehabilitation funds.
(4) All rehabilitated units shall remain affordable to low- and moderate-income
households for a period of 10 years (the control period). For owner-occupied
units the control period will be enforced with a lien, and for renter-occupied
units the control period will be enforced with a deed restriction.
(5) The Township shall dedicate a minimum of $10,000 for each unit to
be rehabilitated through this program, reflecting the minimum hard
cost of rehabilitation for each unit.
(6) The Township shall adopt a resolution committing to fund any shortfall
in the rehabilitation programs for the Township.
(7) The Township shall designate, subject to the approval of COAH, one
or more administrative agents to administer the rehabilitation program
in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:93. The administrative agent(s) shall
provide a rehabilitation manual for the owner occupancy rehabilitation
program and a rehabilitation manual for the rental occupancy rehabilitation
program to be adopted by resolution of the governing body and subject
to approval of COAH. Both rehabilitation manuals shall be available
for public inspection in the office of the Township Clerk and in the
office(s) of the administrative agent(s).
(8) Units in a rehabilitation program shall be exempt from N.J.A.C. 5:93-9
and UHAC, but shall be administered in accordance with the following:
(a)
If a unit is vacant, upon initial rental subsequent to rehabilitation,
or if a renter-occupied unit is rerented prior to the end of controls
on affordability, the deed restriction shall require the unit to be
rented to a low- or moderate-income household at an affordable rent
and affirmatively marketed pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:93-9 and UHAC.
(b)
If a unit is renter-occupied, upon completion of the rehabilitation,
the maximum rate of rent shall be the lesser of the current rent or
the maximum permitted rent pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:93-9 and UHAC.
(c)
Rents in rehabilitated units may increase annually based on
the standards in N.J.A.C. 5:93-9.
(d)
Applicant and/or tenant households shall be certified as income-eligible
in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:93-9 and UHAC, except that households
in owner-occupied units shall be exempt from the regional asset limit.
B. Inclusionary zoning.
(1) To implement the fair share plan in a manner consistent with the
terms of the settlement agreement, ensure the efficient use of land
through compact forms of development and to create realistic opportunities
for the construction of affordable housing, inclusionary zoning shall
be permitted consistent with the provisions of the Township's Housing
Element and Fair Share Plan.
(2) Any townhouse, garden apartment, mixed-use development or other multiple-family
residential development that will contain five or more dwelling units
shall comply with the following:
(a)
A minimum of 15% of the total number of units shall be set aside
as affordable housing units if the affordable units will be for rent.
If the calculation of the total number of affordable units required
yields a fraction of less than 0.5, then either a prorated payment
in lieu or one additional unit shall be provided. If the calculation
of the total number of affordable units required yields a fraction
greater than 0.5, the obligation shall be rounded up, and the additional
unit shall be provided.
(b)
A minimum of 20% of the total number of units shall be set aside
as affordable housing units if the affordable units will be for sale.
If the calculation of the total number of affordable units required
yields a fraction of less than 0.5, then either a prorated payment
in lieu or one additional unit shall be provided. If the calculation
of the total number of affordable units required yields a fraction
of greater than 0.5, the obligation shall be rounded up, and the additional
unit shall be provided.
(c)
At least half of all affordable units shall be affordable to
low-income households, and the remainder may be affordable to moderate-income
households. Within rental developments, at least 13% of the affordable
units shall be affordable to very-low-income households, with the
very-low-income units counted as part of the low-income requirement.
(3) Any property in the Township that is currently zoned for nonresidential uses and that is subsequently rezoned for residential purposes or receives a use variance to permit residential development, or that is currently zoned for residential uses and that receives a zoning change or a density variance to permit higher density multifamily residential development at a density of at least six units per acre and not less than twice the previously permitted density, shall provide an affordable housing set-aside of 15% if the affordable units will be for rent and 20% if the affordable units will be for sale. The provisions of Subsection
B(2)(c) above shall also apply.
(4) Inclusionary developments shall adhere to the following project phasing
schedule:
Maximum Percentage of Market-Rate Units Completed
|
Minimum Percentage of Low- and Moderate-Income Units Completed
|
---|
25
|
0
|
25+1
|
10
|
50
|
50
|
75
|
75
|
100
|
90
|
(5) Design.
(a)
In inclusionary developments, to the extent possible, low- and
moderate-income units shall be integrated with the market units.
(b)
In inclusionary developments, low- and moderate-income units
shall have access to all of the same common elements and facilities
as the market units.
C. New construction.
(1) Low/moderate split and bedroom distribution of affordable housing
units.
(a)
The fair share obligation shall be divided equally between low-
and moderate-income units, except that where there is an odd number
of affordable housing units, the extra unit shall be a low-income
unit. At least 13% of all restricted rental units shall be very-low-income
units (affordable to a household earning 30% or less of median income).
The very-low-income units shall be counted as part of the required
number of low-income units within the development.
(b)
At least 25% of the obligation shall be met through rental units,
including at least 1/2 in rental units available to families.
(c)
A maximum of 25% of the Township's obligation may be met with
age-restricted units. At least half of all affordable units in the
Township's Plan shall be available to families.
(d)
In each affordable development, at least 50% of the restricted
units within each bedroom distribution shall be low-income units.
(e)
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 shall
be no greater than 20% of the total low- and moderate-income units;
[2]
At least 30% of all low- and moderate-income units shall be
two-bedroom units;
[3]
At least 20% of all low- and moderate-income units shall be
three-bedroom units; and
[4]
The remaining units may be allocated among two- and three-bedroom
units at the discretion of the developer.
(f)
Affordable developments that are age-restricted shall be structured
such that the number of bedrooms shall equal the number of age-restricted
low- and moderate-income units within the inclusionary development.
This standard may be met by having all one-bedroom units or by having
a two-bedroom unit for each efficiency unit.
(2) Accessibility requirements.
(a)
The first floor of all restricted townhouse dwelling units and
all restricted units in all other multistory buildings shall be subject
to the technical design standards of the Barrier Free Subcode, N.J.A.C.
5:23-7.
(b)
All restricted townhouse dwelling units and all restricted units
in other multistory buildings in which a restricted dwelling unit
is attached to at least one other dwelling unit shall have the following
features:
[1]
An adaptable toilet and bathing facility on the first floor;
and
[2]
An adaptable kitchen on the first floor; and
[3]
An interior accessible route of travel on the first floor; and
[4]
An adaptable room that can be used as a bedroom, with a door
or the casing for the installation of a door, on the first floor;
and
[5]
If not all of the foregoing requirements in Subsection
C(2)(b)[1] through
[4] can be satisfied, then an interior accessible route of travel must be provided between stories within an individual unit, but if all of the terms of Subsection
C(2)(b)[1] through
[4] above have been satisfied, then an interior accessible route of travel shall not be required between stories within an individual unit; and
[6]
An accessible entranceway as set forth at P.L. 2005, c. 350
(N.J.S.A. 52:27D-311a et seq.) and the Barrier Free Subcode, N.J.A.C.
5:23-7, or evidence that the Township has collected funds from the
developer sufficient to make 10% of the adaptable entrances in the
development accessible:
[a] Where a unit has been constructed with an adaptable
entrance, upon the request of a person with disabilities who is purchasing
or will reside in the dwelling unit, an accessible entrance shall
be installed.
[b] To this end, the builder of restricted units shall
deposit funds within the Township Affordable Housing Trust Fund sufficient
to install accessible entrances in 10% of the affordable units that
have been constructed with adaptable entrances.
[c] The funds deposited under paragraph [6][b] above
shall be used by the Township for the sole purpose of making the adaptable
entrance of an affordable unit accessible when requested to do so
by a person with a disability who occupies or intends to occupy the
unit and requires an accessible entrance.
[d] The developer of the restricted units shall submit
a design plan and cost estimate to the Township Construction Official
for the conversion of adaptable to accessible entrances.
[e] Once the Construction Official has determined that
the design plan to convert the unit entrances from adaptable to accessible
meet the requirements of the Barrier Free Subcode, N.J.A.C. 5:23-7,
and that the cost estimate of such conversion is reasonable, payment
shall be made to the Township's Affordable Housing Trust Fund in care
of the Township Chief Financial Officer who shall ensure that the
funds are deposited into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and appropriately
earmarked.
[f] Full compliance with the foregoing provisions shall
not be required where an entity can demonstrate that it is site impracticable
to meet the requirements. Determinations of site impracticability
shall be in compliance with the Barrier Free Subcode, N.J.A.C. 5:23-7.
(3) Maximum rents and sales prices.
(a)
In establishing rents and sales prices of affordable housing
units, the administrative agent shall follow the procedures set forth
in UHAC, utilizing the regional income limits established by COAH
or a successor entity.
(b)
The maximum rent for restricted rental units within each affordable
development shall be affordable to households earning no more than
60% of median income, and the average rent for restricted rental units
shall be affordable to households earning no more than 52% of median
income.
(c)
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
13% of all low- and moderate-income rental units shall be affordable
to very-low-income households, earning 30% or less of the regional
median household income, with such very-low-income units counted toward
the low-income housing requirement.
(d)
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, and each affordable development
must achieve an affordability average of 55% for restricted ownership
units; in achieving this affordability average, moderate-income ownership
units must be available for at least three different sales prices
for each bedroom type, and low-income ownership units must be available
for at least two different sales prices for each bedroom type.
(e)
In determining the initial sales prices and rent levels for
compliance with the affordability average requirements for restricted
units other than assisted living facilities and age-restricted developments,
the following standards shall be used:
[1]
A studio unit 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; and
[5]
A four-bedroom unit shall be affordable to a six-person household.
(f)
In determining the initial sales prices and rents for compliance
with the affordability average requirements for restricted units in
assisted living facilities and age-restricted developments, 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; and
[3]
A two-bedroom unit shall be affordable to a two-person household
or to two one-person households.
(g)
The initial purchase price for all restricted ownership units
shall be calculated so that the monthly carrying cost of the unit,
including principal and interest (based on a mortgage loan equal to
95% of the purchase price and the Federal Reserve H.15 rate of interest),
taxes, homeowner and private mortgage insurance and condominium or
homeowner association fees do not exceed 28% of the eligible monthly
income of the appropriate size household as determined under N.J.A.C.
5:80-26.4, as may be amended and supplemented; provided, however,
that the price shall be subject to the affordability average requirement
of N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.3, as may be amended and supplemented.
(h)
The initial rent for a restricted rental unit shall be calculated
so as not to exceed 30% of the eligible monthly income of the appropriate
size household, including an allowance for tenant-paid utilities,
as determined under N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.4, as may be amended and supplemented;
provided, however, that the rent shall be subject to the affordability
average requirement of N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.3, as may be amended and supplemented.
(i)
The price of owner-occupied low- and moderate-income units may
increase annually based on the percentage increase in the regional
median income limit for each housing region. In no event shall the
maximum resale price established by the administrative agent be lower
than the last recorded purchase price.
(j)
The rent of low- and moderate-income units may be increased
annually based on the permitted percentage increase in the regional
income limits chart. This increase shall not exceed 9% in any one
year. Rents for units constructed pursuant to low-income-housing tax
credit regulations shall be indexed pursuant to the regulations governing
low-income-housing tax credits.
In referring certified households to specific restricted units,
the administrative agent shall, to the extent feasible and without
causing an undue delay in the occupancy of a unit, strive to:
A. Provide an occupant for each bedroom;
B. Provide children of different sexes with separate bedrooms;
C. Provide separate bedrooms for parents and children; and
D. Prevent more than two persons from occupying a single bedroom.
Price restrictions for restricted ownership units shall be in
accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.1, as may be amended and supplemented,
including:
A. The initial purchase price for a restricted ownership unit shall
be approved by the administrative agent.
B. The administrative agent shall approve all resale prices, in writing
and in advance of the resale, to assure compliance with the foregoing
standards.
C. The master deeds of inclusionary developments shall provide no distinction
between the condominium or homeowner association fees and special
assessments paid by low- and moderate-income purchasers and those
paid by market purchasers.
D. The owners of restricted ownership units may apply to the administrative
agent to increase the maximum sales price for the unit on the basis
of anticipated capital improvements. Eligible capital improvements
shall be those that render the unit suitable for a larger household
or the addition of a bathroom.
The administrative agent shall be an independent entity serving
under contract to and reporting to the Township. For new sale and
rental developments, all of the fees of the administrative agent shall
be paid by the owners of the affordable units for which the services
of the administrative agent are required. For resales, single-family
homeowners and condominium homeowners shall be required to pay 3%
of the sales price for services provided by the administrative agent
related to the resale of their homes. That fee shall be collected
at closing and paid directly to the administrative agent. The administrative
agent shall perform the duties and responsibilities of an administrative
agent as set forth in UHAC, including those set forth in N.J.A.C.
5:80-26.14, 5:80-26.16 and 5:80-26.18 thereof, which include:
A. Affirmative marketing.
(1) Conducting an outreach process to affirmatively market affordable
housing units in accordance with the Township's affirmative marketing
plan and the provisions of N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.15; and
(2) Providing counseling or contracting to 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.
B. Household certification.
(1) Soliciting, scheduling, conducting and following up on interviews
with interested households;
(2) Conducting interviews and obtaining sufficient documentation of gross
income and assets upon which to base a determination of income eligibility
for a low- or moderate-income unit;
(3) Providing written notification to each applicant as to the determination
of eligibility or noneligibility;
(4) Requiring that all certified applicants for restricted units execute
a certificate substantially in the form, as applicable, of either
the ownership or rental certificates set forth in Appendixes J and
K of N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.1 et seq.;
(5) Creating and maintaining a referral list of eligible applicant households
living in the housing region and eligible applicant households with
members working in the housing region where the units are located;
and
(6) Employing a random selection process as provided in the affirmative
marketing plan of the Township when referring households for certification
to affordable units.
C. Affordability controls.
(1) Furnishing to attorneys or closing agents forms of deed restrictions
and mortgages for recording at the time of conveyance of title of
each restricted unit;
(2) Creating and maintaining a file on each restricted unit for its control
period, including the recorded deed with restrictions, recorded mortgage
and note, as appropriate;
(3) Ensuring that the removal of the deed restrictions and cancellation
of the mortgage note are effectuated and properly filed with the Hunterdon
County Register of Deeds or County Clerk's office after the termination
of the affordability controls for each restricted unit;
(4) Communicating with lenders regarding foreclosures; and
(5) Ensuring the issuance of continuing certificates of occupancy or
certifications pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.10.
D. Resales and rentals.
(1) Instituting and maintaining an effective means of communicating information
between owners and the administrative agent regarding the availability
of restricted units for resale or rental; and
(2) Instituting and maintaining an effective means of communicating information
to low- and moderate-income households regarding the availability
of restricted units for resale or rerental.
E. Processing requests from unit owners.
(1) Reviewing and approving requests for determination from owners of
restricted units who wish to take out home equity loans or refinance
during the term of their ownership that the amount of indebtedness
to be incurred will not violate the terms of this chapter;
(2) Reviewing and approving requests to increase sales prices from owners
of restricted units who wish to make capital improvements to the units
that would affect the selling price, such authorizations to be limited
to those improvements resulting in additional bedrooms or bathrooms
and the depreciated cost of central-air-conditioning systems;
(3) Notifying the Township of an owner's intent to sell a restricted
unit; and
(4) Making determinations on requests by owners of restricted units for
hardship waivers.
F. Enforcement.
(1) Securing annually from the Township a list of all affordable housing
units for which tax bills are mailed to absentee owners, and notifying
all such owners that they must either move back to their unit or sell
it;
(2) Securing from all developers and sponsors of restricted units, at
the earliest point of contact in the processing of the project or
development, written acknowledgement of the requirement that no restricted
unit can be offered, or in any other way committed, to any person,
other than a household duly certified to the unit by the administrative
agent;
(3) Posting annually in all rental properties, including two-family homes,
of a notice as to the maximum permitted rent together with the telephone
number of the administrative agent where complaints of excess rent
or other charges can be made;
(4) Sending annual mailings to all owners of affordable dwelling units,
reminding them of the notices and requirements outlined in N.J.A.C.
5:80-26.18(d)4;
(5) Establishing a program for diverting unlawful rent payments to the
Township's Affordable Housing Trust Fund; and
(6) Creating and publishing a written operating manual for each affordable
housing program administered by the administrative agent, to be approved
by the Township Mayor and Council and the court, setting forth procedures
for administering the affordability controls.
G. Additional responsibilities.
(1) The administrative agent shall have the authority to take all actions
necessary and appropriate to carry out its responsibilities hereunder.
(2) The administrative agent shall prepare monitoring reports for submission
to the municipal housing liaison in time to meet any monitoring requirements
and deadlines imposed by the court.
(3) The administrative agent shall attend continuing education sessions
on affordability controls, compliance monitoring, and affirmative
marketing at least annually and more often as needed.
Appeals from all decisions of an administrative agent appointed
pursuant to this chapter shall be filed in writing with the court.