New Jersey has one of the most robust civil rights frameworks in the country—called the Mount Laurel Doctrine—to tackle segregation and support the development of affordable housing in every community.

The Doctrine was established through a series of New Jersey Supreme Court cases that constitutionally require all municipalities in the state to provide their fair share of the region’s affordable housing. The Doctrine is critical to preventing exclusionary zoning and promoting integration in New Jersey.

But the efficacy of the Doctrine is at risk. Elected officials and residents who want to keep their towns white and affluent are opposing pending legislation (Senate Bill 50/Assembly Bill 4) that would improve the current affordable housing system and ultimately house more New Jerseyans.

The good news is that the legislation has already passed the Assembly, but now it has stalled in the Senate. We need your help advocating for it to be scheduled for a vote in the Senate as soon as possible.

With the fourth round of affordable housing obligations set to begin in July 2025, time is of the essence.  The legislation needs to pass quickly so all stakeholders have enough time to prepare adequately for the next round.

Now, more than ever, New Jersey needs to protect what works to build affordable housing. Our state is growing in size and diversity, and more and more people simply cannot afford to live here. We need more affordable housing to meet the needs of our residents.

Everyone deserves a safe, healthy, and affordable place to call home. We can’t go back to a system that maintains segregation and worsens our housing crisis. Help us advance affordable housing today.