Municipalities could assess risks at proposed affordable housing sites

Municipalities could commission outside studies of land identified as suitable for development in their affordable housing plans. Planning boards would select experts under state rules. Land posing substantial environmental, economic, or social risks to current or future residents under those rules would have to be excluded from the vacant land count. Municipalities could seek fourth-round plan changes through the state housing dispute program after a study. In the fifth and later rounds, they would include any study results in their initial plans.

The Department of Community Affairs would run an educational campaign for municipalities. The campaign would explain adjustments for the fourth round, the current cycle for setting local affordable housing requirements. The department would establish the campaign within 150 days after the law takes effect. The bill would take effect immediately upon enactment.