N.J. panel quashes a bid against affordable homes

An independent New Jersey council handed a victory to affordable-housing advocates yesterday when it ended an attempt by Medford and Mount Laurel to throw out some of the state's latest, and toughest, low-income-housing laws.

The Council on Local Mandates made a summary judgment that it could not take on the case because the housing rules were part of the state's attempt to implement constitutional requirements. The council cannot rule on such issues.

Under a series of Mount Laurel cases, named for the town that spawned them, the state Supreme Court has ruled that every town in New Jersey must provide a share of affordable housing. The two towns objected, however, to more stringent requirements imposed by the Legislature and Corzine administration last year, saying they could cost local taxpayers more than $6 billion.

Other challenges to the housing rules remain in play. More than 200 towns have joined a lawsuit seeking to block the latest requirements. That case is pending. - Jonathan Tamari