Draft_October 2025_West Orange_HEFSP_with Appendices

Township of West Orange October 2025 Essex County, New Jersey Draft Housing Element and Fair Share Plan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- assistance to low and moderate-income Township homeowners, lending up to $25,000 at 0% interest to assist in home repairs. Such home repairs include: • Roofs & Gutters • Heating Systems • Doors & Windows • Electrical Systems • Kitchen & Bathroom updates • Painting or Siding • Insulation • Exterior Stairs, Porches, Decks These 0% interest loans require no monthly payments and are repaid only at the time of a home sale or a transfer of title. This program is funded through the Township’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Since the inception of the WOHRP in 1999, a total of 223 homes has been rehabilitated. Presently, the WOHRP has a total of 119 homes on its waiting list, which are being processed. See Appendix L for documentation on the WOHRP. Essex County Home Improvement Program West Orange Township will also continue to participate in the Essex County Home Improvement Program (HIP), which is operated by the Essex County Division of Housing and Community Development. This program provides deferred loans to low-income and moderate-income homeowners who occupy a onefamily to three-family home. Home improvements eligible for funding through this program include new heating systems, roofing, plumbing, electrical and code violation abatements. Additional information for these programs can be found in the appendix of the Township’s Court-approved Third Round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, adopted November 17, 2020. Vacant Land Adjustment Municipalities can request an adjustment to their obligation based on the determination that there is not sufficient vacant or developable land within the municipality. As permitted by N.J.A.C. 5:93-4 and the Fair Housing Act, a municipality can submit a Vacant Land Adjustment (VLA) that examines the number of parcels available for development. The end result of the Vacant Land Adjustment is the determination of the Township’s Realistic Development Potential (RDP) for new affordable housing units. After subtracting out the RDP from the obligation, the remaining calculation is known as the “unmet need.” Since the Township lacked sufficient land to

otential (RDP) for new affordable housing units. After subtracting out the RDP from the obligation, the remaining calculation is known as the “unmet need.” Since the Township lacked sufficient land to satisfy its Round 3 obligation, it lacks sufficient land to satisfy the additional 660-unit obligation for Round 4. Moreover, there have been no changed circumstances since the Court entered a Judgment of Repose approving the Township’s VLA and RDP on March 17, 2021. It should be noted that the amended FHA permits a municipality to rely on COAH regulations that are not inconsistent with the amended FHA or a binding Court decision. The following COAH regulation is relevant: 69