A.
The Village of Ridgefield Park shall adopt by resolution an Affirmative
Marketing Plan, subject to the approval of the Court that is compliant
with N.J.A.C. 5:80-25.15, as it may be amended and supplemented.
B.
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, sponsor or owner of affordable housing. The Affirmative
Marketing Plan is intended to target those potentially eligible persons
who are least likely to apply for affordable units in that region.
In addition, as a result of the Settlement Agreement with FSHC, the
Affirmative Marketing Plan shall require the notification of the FSHC,
New Jersey State Conference of the NAACP, the Latino Action Network,
Bergen County NAACP, Bergen Urban League and the Bergen County Housing
Coalition of affordable housing opportunities. It is a continuing
program that directs marketing activities toward Housing Region 1
and is required to be followed throughout the period of restriction.
C.
The Affirmative Marketing Plan shall provide a regional preference
for all households that live and/or work in Housing Region 1, comprised
of Bergen, Hudson, Passaic and Sussex Counties.
D.
The Village has the ultimate responsibility for adopting the Affirmative
Marketing Plan and for the proper administration of the Affirmative
Marketing Program, including initial sales and rentals and resales
and re-rentals. The Administrative Agent(s) designated or approved
by the Village of Ridgefield Park shall implement the Affirmative
Marketing Plan to assure the affirmative marketing of all affordable
units.
E.
In implementing the Affirmative Marketing Plan, the Administrative
Agent shall provide a list of counseling services to low- and moderate-income
applicants on subjects such as budgeting, credit issues, mortgage
qualification, rental lease requirements, and landlord/tenant law.
F.
The Affirmative Marketing Plan shall describe the media to be used
in advertising and publicizing the availability of housing. In implementing
the Affirmative Marketing Plan, the Administrative Agent shall consider
the use of language translations where appropriate.
G.
The affirmative marketing process for available affordable units
shall begin at least four months (120 days) prior to the expected
date of occupancy.
H.
Applications for affordable housing shall be available in several
locations, including, at a minimum, the Bergen County Administration
Building, the Passaic County Administration Building, Hudson County
Administration Building, County of Sussex (Newton), Montvale Free
Public Library, Sussex County Main Library, Hudson County Library,
Johnson Free Public Library (Hackensack), the Danforth Memorial Library
(Paterson), the Ridgefield Park Municipal Building and the developer's
rental office. Preapplications may be emailed to prospective applicants
upon request. Otherwise, hard copies are available from the Village's
Municipal Housing Liaison.
I.
The costs of advertising and affirmative marketing of the affordable
units shall be the responsibility of the developer, sponsor or owner.
J.
When affordable units become available, all Administrative Agents
must notify all relevant entities set forth in the Amended Settlement
Agreement between the Village and Fair Share Housing Center dated
June 24, 2021, as well as those set forth in the Village's adopted
Affirmative Marketing Plan.
