NJ Towns on the Hook for 'Fair Share' of Affordable Housing After Judge Rejects Challenge

New Jersey's affordable housing mandate will proceed in 2025 — at least for now — after a judge rejected a bid to halt a new state law.

Ruling in Mercer County on Thursday, state Superior Court Judge Robert Lougy denied a request by more than two dozen municipalities to pause implementation of the legislation enacted in March. The law is designed to speed enforcement of the Mount Laurel Doctrine, a landmark set of court rulings that require New Jersey towns to provide their "fair share" of low- and moderate-income housing.