BRICK, N.J. — Brick Township Mayor Lisa Crate is pushing back against what she called “misconceptions and misinformation” surrounding the Council’s recent action on affordable housing, clarifying that the township will not be constructing 322 new units as some have claimed.
The rumors, according to insiders are being pushed by candidates running for office who are aligned with the remnants of the administration of former Mayor Steve Acropolis. The same group that brought the ill-fated red light cameras to the township.
In her latest Mayor’s Minutes update, Crate explained that the number 322 represents an “unmet need” planning figure—not a construction mandate. The Township’s actual plan is to build 29 affordable housing units over the next decade, with a focus on encouraging redevelopment rather than new development.
Key Points
- Brick’s Fourth Round affordable housing plan includes construction of 29 units, not 322.
- The number 322 relates to planning for unmet need, not a building requirement.
- The Township will use zoning overlays to support future affordable redevelopment.
Township disputes inflated housing figures, cites state-mandated planning process
According to the Township’s affordable housing attorney, Brick’s obligations stem from a complex state formula tied to a region-wide affordable housing requirement. For the 2015–2025 Third Round, Brick was initially assigned a prospective need of 620 units. However, a “vacant land analysis” determined the realistic capacity was only 105 units, and that is what the township planned for.
For the upcoming Fourth Round, the methodology produced a regional share of 360 units. But following the same analysis process, the township will again reduce its buildable obligation—this time down to 29 units.
“The ‘obligation’ is Brick’s share of the regional need,” the township attorney stated. “That figure takes into account vacant land, nonresidential development, and income levels compared to the region’s lowest, which is Trenton.”
Planning—not building—drives unmet need number
The controversial 322-unit figure has caused confusion, but township officials say it’s being misrepresented. That number, officials emphasized, pertains to the “unmet need” Brick is required to plan and zone for—not construct.
The township is required to zone for 25% of that unmet need, or 81 units, using overlay ordinances. These ordinances do not mandate construction but enable property owners to redevelop in ways that could support affordable housing.
“This is a planning requirement, not a building one,” officials reiterated, noting that it aligns with a broader statewide legal framework.
Township settlement ensures compliance without overdevelopment
Mayor Crate also addressed criticism over Brick’s recent settlement with the Fair Share Housing Center, calling it a legal obligation, not a political concession.
“The settlement…is not ‘caving,’ it is the acceptance of the obligation that the Legislature imposed on all towns in NJ,” Crate said. She added that the actual housing plan, expected to be adopted in June, will clearly outline the strategy to meet the 29-unit goal.
Township officials said they will continue to work through the formal Housing Element and Fair Share Plan process as required by the state.
Mayor Crate clears the air on housing, confirms Brick’s plan includes just 29 affordable units over 10 years.
