The state Assembly yesterday introduced its long-awaited version of a bill to abolish the Council on Affordable Housing and revamp affordable housing rules in New Jersey. But housing advocates immediately found flaws, saying it has as many loopholes for local officials to avoid providing affordable housing as a Senate bill that passed in the spring.

“Neither bill requires municipalities to actually provide opportunities for starter homes and apartments. The loopholes in the bill are so large that there is no requirement that any development in the state actually include starter homes for families earning under $70,000 per year, lower-income seniors, or people with special needs,’’ said Kevin Walsh, associate director of the Fair Share Housing Center.

“We need a better way of building and rehabbing starter homes in New Jersey, and will continue to work with Assemblyman (Gerald) Green and his colleagues to develop such a policy, but this bill isn’t even close,” he added.

The bill would require builders to set aside 10 percent of new units at a reduced price in communities that don’t have much affordable housing and have fewer school-aged children who qualify for a free or reduced-priced lunch.

Towns where at least half of school-age children qualify for the lunch program would be exempt from the affordable housing requirement. Read full article in Star Ledger.