Fourth Round (2025-2035)

Chatham Township is committed to meeting its constitutional obligations for affordable housing while preserving the character, fiscal stability, and environmental integrity of the community. This page serves as a central hub for updates, resources, and key documents related to the Fourth Round of New Jersey’s Affordable Housing process (2025–2035).

In 2024, the Township established an Affordable Housing Committee comprised of professional and administrative staff, along with residents already serving on the Township Committee, Planning Board, and Open Space Committee. This cross-functional team ensures that a range of perspectives inform the Township’s approach, allowing for a more coordinated, transparent, and community-centered planning process. This Committee was established by Mayor Stacey Ewald and the Township Committee with the adoption of Resolution 2024-172 on July 16, 2024.

On January 13, 2025, the Affordable Housing Planner produced a report summarizing the findings and methodology to calculate the Township Affordable Housing Obligations.

On January 28, 2025, at the public Township Committee meeting, a presentation was given by Affordable Housing Attorney Jessica Almeida to explain the action to be taken by the Township regarding the Affordable Housing Obligations.  The Township Committee adopted Resolution 2025-062 to contest the DCA calculations and establish the Township’s Fourth Round present and prospective affordable housing obligations.

On April 8, 2025, at the public Township Committee meeting, a presentation was given by Affordable Housing Attorney Jessica Almeida on the efforts of the AH Committee and addressed the timeline for the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan process.

On April 21, 2025, at the public Planning Board meeting, Affordable Housing Planner Kendra Lelie gave a presentation on the efforts to develop the Township’s Fourth Round Affordable Housing Plan.  The outline of the plan was reviewed.

On May 13, 2025, an Order by the Court affirmed and adopted the Township’s calculations and methodology fixing the “present need” obligation of 30 affordable units, and a modified “prospective need” obligation of 141 affordable units for the Fourth Round.

On June 16, 2025, the Planning Board held a public hearing and considered a resolution adopting the 4th round Housing Element & Fair Share Plan.  Resolution PB-25-12 was adopted.  Click here to view the meeting.

On June 24, 2025, the Township Committee considered and adopted Resolution 2025-129 to endorse the the 4th round Housing Element & Fair Share Plan.

Click here for Documents & Files related to the Fourth Round.

What Is the “Fourth Round”?

On March 20, Gov. Murphy signed into law a series of bills which will overhaul the affordable housing system in New Jersey. The most significant bill, A4/S50 (codified as P.L.2024, c.2.), abolishes the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH); empowers the Department of Community Affairs to determine municipalities’ affordable housing obligations – replacing a court-run system in place for the past decade; protects municipalities from exclusionary zoning lawsuits if they timely submit affordable housing development plans; enable municipalities to apply bonus credits to reduce their affordable housing obligations by up to 25%; and extends the amount of time units created under the program must remain at below-market prices to 40 years.

The Fourth Round refers to the next phase in New Jersey’s affordable housing compliance cycle, as required by the New Jersey Supreme Court. Municipalities are expected to plan for future affordable housing needs through 2035. This planning process is not a building mandate, but rather an obligation to demonstrate a fair and realistic assessment of potential need.

• • • This process does not automatically require new construction of affordable housing units.
    • The adopted obligation number is a planning benchmark, not a development requirement.
    • Final housing plans will take shape in the coming years and will include opportunities for public input, review, and legal protections.

Key Dates

• • September 16, 2024: Reporting due to DCA on all Non-Residential and Residential Development Fees and Expenditures, along with status and details of all affordable housing units.
  • October 20, 2024: Deadline for the DCA to complete and publish a report on the calculation of regional needs and municipal obligations for each region. A new report is due August 1 of the year prior to the start of each 10-year round.
  • January 31, 2025: Deadline for a municipality to adopt their obligation numbers via “Binding Resolution” with or without using the DCA’s published report.
  • February 15, 2025: Reporting due to DCA on the status of all Non-Residential and Residential Development Fees collected and expended from the previous year.
  • February 28, 2025: Deadline for interested party to challenge a municipality’s adopted obligation numbers.
  • March 1, 2025: If no challenges, the municipality’s obligation numbers are established by default, immunity remains in effect.
  • April 1, 2025: Deadline for the Affordable Housing Dispute Resolution Program (AHDRP) to settle the municipal obligation number challenge(s).
  • June 30, 2025: Deadline for a municipality to adopt and endorse a Housing Element and Fair Share Plan and file with the Program to maintain immunity.
  • August 31, 2025: Deadline for interested parties to challenge the validity of a municipality’s Housing Element and Fair Share Plan.
  • December 31, 2025: Deadline for the municipality to settle any challenge or provide an explanation as to why it will not make all or some of the requested changes.