May 14, 1998
The Hon. Leonard Connors, Jr.
Chairman, Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee
9th Legislative District
Clock Tower Building, 620 W. Lacey Rd.
Forked River, NJ 08731
Dear Senator Collins:
On behalf of MSM's Board of Directors, I am writing in support of the Housing and Jobs Bond Act. I apologize for being unable to attend the hearing you are holding on this proposal tomorrow, but I did want to let you know that we at MSM Regional Council believe this to be extremely important to New Jersey. Please do everything you can to ensure that this proposal moves swiftly to meet the deadline for a fall ballot.
You will be receiving convincing testimony of support from housing groups and community groups. They are in the best position to comment on how valuable this initiative is to the communities in which they work. And since we have formed the Affordable Housing and Environment Coalition, you will hear these groups supported by representatives from the environment community. They know that the best way to save open space in rural areas is to revitalize downtowns and urban neighborhoods.
We would like to add our support from a planning perspective. As planners, we support the proposal because of its expected benefits for communities throughout the state -- urban, suburban, and rural. It will also support the State Development and Redevelopment Plan: two of the Plan's eight goals are promote beneficial economic development, and provide affordable housing.
As planners, we would like to bring to your attention the following benefits of the Bond Act which may not have been mentioned by other supporters:
- The Bond Act will provide more investment in affordable housing that is needed to provide the labor force we need to keep our economy strong. Workers having to travel to jobs in the MSM region from cheaper housing in Pennsylvania clog our highways. Housing nearer employment opportunities and priced to meet workers' salaries will go a long way to promoting a sustainable economy and manageable traffic.
- Municipalities need resources to avoid the "builders remedy" and yet still provide needed affordable housing. The Bond Act will provide rental assistance needed to provide housing to meet the needs of more vulnerable lower income families which do not qualify for Mt. Laurel housing.
- Investment in community development corporations and non-profit housing development corporations is the best means to revitalize communities which have been starved for investments over the years as public money has gone to suburban infrastructure. Jobs that are created from within a community, will be the most sustainable in the long run.
I do hope that you are successful in steering this proposal through the process and into law. If there is any further help that we can provide, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Dianne R. Brake
President
Copy: Governor Christine Todd Whitman