Township Committee Reduces Fourth Round Affordable Housing Obligation by 34%
Hopewell Township, NJ – On Monday night, the Hopewell Township Committee certified its Affordable Housing obligation for the 2025-2035 period, setting the number at 348 units. This represents a significant 34% reduction—or 195 fewer units—compared to the initial obligation of 543 units provided by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA).
The Township Committee is confident that the final number of units to be built will fall below 200 units due to ongoing efforts to extend affordability controls at Brandon Farms and to expand group home partnerships with organizations like ARC Mercer. Further, the Committee is exploring options to build 100% affordable projects to minimize the number of market rate units to be built in the Township.
“We strongly believe in the need for Affordable Housing in New Jersey, but part of that commitment is ensuring all calculations and underlying data are accurate and reflect the current realities in our Township,” stated Mayor Courtney Peters-Manning. “The number that we certified ensures that our obligation represents our true fair share by using accurate, up-to-date data. We appreciate the collaborative efforts of the DCA, the Fair Share Housing Center, and our professionals and look forward to continuing this important work.”
Background
On March 20, 2024, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed amendments to the Fair Housing Act (FHA) into law, establishing a framework for determining and enforcing municipalities’ fourth round affordable housing obligations under the New Jersey Supreme Court’s Mount Laurel doctrine. Following this, on October 18, 2025, the DCA released its fourth-round numbers for each municipality, assigning calculated targets to all 564 municipalities in New Jersey. The fourth round covers the time period between 2025-2035.
The DCA’s numbers are non-binding. If a municipality finds inaccuracies in the data, the governing body must demonstrate that a lower obligation is justified under the FHA and certify that number. To maintain immunity from exclusionary zoning litigation, the certification of this fair share obligation must happen by January 31, 2025.
Accurate Calculations Ensure Fairness
To ensure that Hopewell Township’s obligation is fair and reflective of Hopewell Township’s unique circumstances, accurate data is critical. A key factor in the DCA’s calculation was the “Land Capacity Factor,” which measures the total acreage available for development. The DCA initially identified 781.2 acres of developable land in Hopewell Township. However, a detailed parcel by parcel review by the Township Planner and Redevelopment Engineer revealed that only 287.5 acres are actually available. For example, land slated for development in the Township’s third round of Affordable Housing was included in DCA’s list of available land. After these and other critical corrections, the accurate land area as determined by Township professionals represents just 36.8% of the original DCA’s estimate.
Looking Ahead
By certifying our number before the deadline,, the Township Committee also protects the Township from Builder’s Remedy lawsuits, which would undermine current zoning and allow builders to propose housing developments on any property in the Township, irrespective of the Master Plan and other protections against unchecked development. Additionally, the Committee has reserved the right to adapt its plans should prevailing laws or conditions change.
The Township Committee is committed to meeting the Township’s fourth-round Affordable Housing obligation, and it has now ensured that the number is based on accurate and up-to-date data. This commitment ensures the delivery of more affordable housing options while minimizing financial and other impacts on current residents.