Fifty Years After Mount Laurel, Affordable Housing Is Gaining Ground in New Jersey

New Jersey's Mount Laurel housing law by Roshan Abraham demonstrates how streamlined legislation is transforming affordable housing development across the Garden State.

More than a year after Governor Phil Murphy signed groundbreaking legislation codifying New Jersey's Mount Laurel doctrine, the state has seen remarkable progress in affordable housing compliance. The new law requires all municipalities to build their fair share of affordable housing, creating a streamlined process with clearer obligations and dedicated dispute resolution mechanisms that have reduced lengthy litigation battles.

• Record participation: 424 of 564 municipalities submitted housing plans in 2025, representing a 25% increase from 2015 when over 200 towns sued to avoid building requirements
• Reduced litigation: New dispute resolution program with dedicated judges settled disputes with all but seven municipalities, compared to years of litigation involving hundreds of towns previously
• Political shift: Towns like Evesham Township are now embracing affordable housing as beneficial for community stability and property values, marking a significant change from past resistance
• Ongoing challenges: Despite progress, the law still faces federal court challenges from 27 municipalities while housing costs and homelessness continue rising statewide