[Adopted 3-11-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-01]
The purpose of this article is to create the administrative
mechanisms needed for the execution of Springfield Township's
responsibility to assist in the provision of affordable housing pursuant
to the Fair Housing Act of 1985.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The entity responsible for administering the affordability
controls of some or all units in the affordable housing program for
Springfield Township to ensure that the restricted units under administration
are affirmatively marketed and sold or rented, as applicable, only
to low- and moderate-income households.
The employee charged by the governing body with the responsibility
for oversight and administration of the affordable housing program
for Springfield Township.
A.
Establishment of position of Municipal Housing Liaison. There is
hereby established the position of Municipal Housing Liaison for Springfield
Township.
B.
Subject to the approval of the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH),
the Municipal Housing Liaison shall be appointed by the governing
body and may be a full- or part-time municipal employee.
C.
The Municipal Housing Liaison shall be responsible for oversight and administration of the affordable housing program for Springfield Township, including the following responsibilities which may not be contracted out, exclusive of Subsection C(6) which may be contracted out:
(1)
Serving as Springfield Township's primary point of contact for
all inquiries from the state, affordable housing providers, administrative
agents, and interested households;
(2)
Monitoring the status of all restricted units in Springfield Township's
Fair Share Plan;
(3)
Compiling, verifying, and submitting annual reports as required by
COAH;
(4)
Coordinating meetings with affordable housing providers and administrative
agents, as applicable;
(5)
Attending continuing education opportunities on affordability controls,
compliance monitoring, and affirmative marketing as offered or approved
by COAH;
D.
Subject to approval by COAH, Springfield Township may contract with or authorize a consultant, authority, government or any agency charged by the governing body, which entity shall have the responsibility of administering the affordable housing program of Springfield Township, except for those responsibilities which may not be contracted out pursuant to Subsection C above. If Springfield Township contracts with another entity to administer all or any part of the affordable housing program, including the affordability controls and affirmative marketing plan, the Municipal Housing Liaison shall supervise the contracting administrative agent.
E.
Compensation. Compensation shall be fixed by the governing body at
the time of the appointment of the Municipal Housing Liaison.
F.
Administrative powers and duties assigned to the Municipal Housing
Liaison.
(1)
Resale and rental:
(a)
Instituting and maintaining an effective means of communicating
information between owners and the administrative agent regarding
the availability of restricted units for resale or rental; and
(b)
Instituting and maintaining an effective means of communicating
information to low- and moderate-income households regarding the availability
of restricted units for resale or re-rental.
(2)
Enforcement
(a)
Securing annually lists of all affordable housing units for
which tax bills are mailed to absentee owners and notifying all such
owners that they must either move back to their unit or sell it;
(b)
Securing from all developers and sponsors of restricted units,
at the earliest point of contact in the processing of the project
or development, written acknowledgement of the requirement that no
restricted unit can be offered, or in any other way committed, to
any person, other than a household duly certified to the unit by the
administrative agent;
(c)
The posting annually in all rental properties, including two-family
homes, of a notice as to the maximum permitted rent, together with
the telephone number of the administrative agent where complaints
of excess rent can be made;
(d)
Sending annual mailings to all owners of affordable dwelling
units, reminding them of the notices and requirements outlined in
N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.18(d)4;
(e)
Establishing a program for diverting unlawful rent payments
to the municipality's Affordable Housing Trust Fund or other
appropriate municipal fund approved by the DCA;
(f)
Creating and publishing a written operating manual, as approved
by COAH, setting forth procedures for administering such affordability
controls; and
(g)
Providing annual reports to COAH as required.
(3)
The administrative agent shall have authority to take all actions
necessary and appropriate to carry out its responsibilities hereunder.
