NJ A3473

Municipalities may enter agreements with developers to reserve up to 50% of affordable housing units in a project for low and moderate income first responders who have served at least two years

First responders include law enforcement officers, paid or volunteer firefighters, paid or volunteer members of first aid/emergency/ambulance/rescue squad associations, and emergency medical dispatchers

Qualified first responders who apply within 90 days of the initial 120-day marketing period receive priority for the agreed-upon percentage of affordable units

First responders are placed on both a special waiting list and general waiting list, with preference given whenever the percentage of first responder-occupied units falls below the agreed threshold

Providing first responder housing preferences does not affect a municipality's ability to receive affordable housing credit from the state council