Affordable

Unlocking Homeownership: How Outdated Laws Are Thwarting Affordable Condos for California Families

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California residents face escalating challenges in achieving affordable homeownership, particularly within the middle class. The state’s housing crisis stems not only from rising property prices but also from a significant bottleneck caused by outdated construction defect laws that have all but eliminated new condominiums from the market. Unlike many regions worldwide, where multifamily dwellings facilitate access to urban jobs and amenities, California’s housing landscape presents a stark contrast. The result has been a growing economic divide, as homeownership shifts further away from reach for many. Families looking for affordable living options are often forced to … Read more

Community Group Modifies Lawsuit in Marinwood Affordable Housing Dispute, Drops Developers Amid Legal Risk Concerns

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Marinwood, CA — A local community group has withdrawn its complaint against developers of an affordable housing project at Marinwood Plaza, shifting the focus of their legal challenge solely toward Marin County. The Marinwood Coalition Against Segregation initially included both the county and the developers, Marinwood Propco Limited Partnership and Lee Hoyt, in their lawsuit. The decision to dismiss the developers as defendants underscores the complexities and uncertainties surrounding litigation under new state housing laws. The project planned for Marinwood Plaza intends to construct 125 affordable apartments across four three-story buildings, a development that received … Read more

Jersey City Clashes with J.P. Morgan Over Affordable Housing Project; Lawsuit Could Stall 300 New Homes

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Jersey City, NJ — Jersey City officials are pushing back against a lawsuit by J.P. Morgan subsidiaries that is seen as an obstacle to the construction of a new affordable housing project on the city’s waterfront. The lawsuit disputes the approval of a site plan for a 300-unit tower in the Liberty Harbor North Redevelopment Area, which officials say is crucial for meeting the city’s housing needs. At the heart of the controversy is the allocation of 200 parking spaces, originally part of the Vantage luxury apartment buildings, also owned by J.P. Morgan-linked entities. The … Read more

New Jersey Judge Upholds Implementation of Groundbreaking Affordable Housing Law Amid Municipal Pushback

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TRENTON, N.J. — A Mercer County Superior Court Judge issued a decision on Tuesday that supports the continuation of New Jersey’s rigorous new affordable housing legislation, striking down a request to halt the law’s implementation. The motion to pause, brought forward by two dozen municipalities known for their resistance to inclusive housing policies, was decisively rejected by Judge Robert T. Lougy. In September, these municipalities had jointly filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s affordable housing framework. The legislation mandates every city allows a quota of affordable housing to accommodate its population’s needs. A hearing to … Read more