Murphy defends affordable housing law amid local resistance, cites 200,000-unit shortfall

TRENTON, N.J. — Governor Phil Murphy said the state is making slow but steady progress in expanding affordable housing, citing a landmark law signed last year that shifts control from the courts to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and aims to streamline development across New Jersey’s 565 municipalities.

“We’re living progress right now,” Murphy said in recent comments about the ongoing implementation of the law. “May not be as fast as people want, but that bill is gonna lead to substantially more affordable housing units in New Jersey.”

The new framework, described by Murphy as the most far-reaching affordable housing legislation in at least 40 years, was the product of difficult negotiations with the legislature. It places authority for housing obligations under the DCA, moving oversight away from the courts, where many disputes had previously stalled.

Murphy acknowledged the uneven response across municipalities. While some cities like Jersey City are embracing dense residential development—building towers as high as 70 stories—others are resisting. “Other communities, as you rightfully point out… not so much,” Murphy said.

State short nearly 200,000 affordable units, officials say

Housing advocates and state officials estimate New Jersey is currently short about 200,000 affordable units. Murphy conceded that gap can’t be closed quickly but said the new law provides a realistic roadmap for making progress over time.

“You can’t do that in a year or two,” Murphy said. “But… you could have a plan to do that over a period of time.”

The comments come as the state marks the 50th anniversary of the Mount Laurel Doctrine, a landmark legal framework mandating municipalities to provide their fair share of affordable housing. Murphy said the state is continuing that legacy, despite ongoing local pushback and what he described as slow but steady advancement.

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