Attendance at affordable housing forum encouraged

Gov. James McGreevey warned developers, "If you reap benefits, you must also take responsibility for costs." He proposed allowing municipalities to impose a one-year building moratorium.

He didn’t, however, address the lack of affordable housing. Rental-unit availability is shrinking; rents soar. Ours is the most expensive state in which to rent a two-bedroom apartment. More than 44 percent of New Jersey renters can’t afford the two-bedroom apartment rent of $1,100 a month. New Jersey is the fourth most expensive state for buying a home. The National Association of Realtors says single-family home prices jumped 13 percent last year, the highest rise in the nation. The moratorium Gov. McGreevey has proposed is an opportunity to explore ways to remedy this.

The Monmouth County League of Women Voters and Brookdale Community College are co-sponsoring a forum on these issues. Participants are: Larry Fink, mayor of Holmdel (former policy director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation); Steve Heisman, director, HabCore; Peter Reinhart, senior vice president and general counsel, K. Hovnanian Enterprises; Donna Rose, executive administrator, Monmouth Housing Alliance; and Jeffrey Surenian, partner at Lomel law firm.

Come discuss, question and offer suggestions on March 27 from 7-9 p.m. at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft. There is no fee, but registration is required. To register or for more information (course number is XGENL 010, affordable housing issues), call Brookdale at (732) 224-2315).

Esther Greenberg

President, Monmouth County

League of Women Voters

Marlboro