U.S. District Court Judge Zahid Quraishi denied a bid by a coalition of mayors to delay the implementation of New Jersey’s affordable housing law.

The group of about three dozen municipalities filed a federal lawsuit in April seeking to undo the criteria the state uses to calculate municipalities’ affordable housing obligations. They wanted to stay the March 15 deadline to determine how high-density housing units are calculated.

But Montvale Mayor Michael Ghassali said he would appeal the ruling.

“We are disappointed the District Court refused to consider our meritorious challenge to Mount Laurel by claiming its mandates do not harm taxpayers and elected officials,” he said. “We look forward to bringing this to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.”

Fair Share Housing Center Executive Director Adam Gordon said that the courts “have been crystal clear: New Jersey’s affordable housing law is here to stay.

“Now that the federal court has rejected these claims in full, it’s time to move forward — as the overwhelming majority of municipalities already are — by producing the affordable homes New Jersey desperately needs, said Gordon.

The law, approved nearly two years ago, appears to address a statewide shortage of affordable housing estimated at roughly 150,000 units.

In October, Superior Court Judge Robert Lougy dismissed a lawsuit filed by the coalition, Local Leaders for Responsible Planning.

“The vast majority of municipalities are embracing New Jersey’s affordable housing law and utilizing it to build homes in ways that work best for their communities,” Gordon stated. “With the courts having repeatedly rejected these attacks, municipal leaders can now focus on implementing their housing plans and allowing the affordable homes New Jerseyans urgently need.”

State Sen. Troy Singleton (D-Delran), the author of the affordable housing law, said he was pleased by Quraishi’s decision.

“New Jersey is facing a serious affordable housing crisis that is pushing working families, seniors, and vulnerable members of our population out of the communities they rely on for jobs, schools, and support. That reality is exactly why the Legislature acted to modernize our affordable housing framework and ensure every municipality does its fair share,” said Singleton. “Since the passage of S-50, hundreds of municipalities have adopted compliant housing plans, disputes that once dragged on for years have been resolved through mediation, and real progress is being made toward building and preserving homes and communities that people can actually afford. The early success of this law proves that clear rules and a fair process can deliver results without endless litigation.

This story was updated at 9:49 AM with comment from Singleton.

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