During a recent city council meeting, affordable housing attorney Nancy Holm provided a comprehensive update on the city's progress and challenges regarding affordable housing initiatives. The update was prompted by recent amendments to the Fair Housing Act, which require municipalities to report on trust fund and unit monitoring to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Holm commended city officials Stephanie Sulios and Mark Leggington for their efforts in meeting a tight deadline to input 30 years of housing data into a newly launched DCA database.

Holm highlighted the establishment of the Mount Laurel Sub Committee, which has been active since March, focusing on fulfilling the city's housing obligations. The committee is currently addressing the city's round 3 responsibilities, which must be completed by July 1, 2025. The city has identified a realistic development potential of 36 units, with an unmet need of 702 units. Notably, the city has satisfied its Round 3 obligations and has a surplus of 13 credits from previously built units.

The city is also preparing for round 4 of housing obligations, with new numbers expected from the DCA by the end of October. Holm noted that the city has implemented six overlay zones to facilitate potential redevelopment and has established a multifamily set-aside ordinance to encourage new affordable housing projects. Additionally, a settlement agreement with Fair Share Housing Center aims to facilitate the construction of 50 new affordable units, with 32 already in various stages of development.

In a separate update, Leah Griffith reported on the mayor's task force addressing homelessness in the community. The task force, comprising representatives from various local organizations, was formed in response to increasing concerns about the unhoused population, particularly around the train station. Griffith emphasized the importance of understanding the unique circumstances of each individual experiencing homelessness and outlined the task force's goal of securing housing for this population by November 15.

The task force has conducted outreach efforts and is working to connect individuals with available resources. Griffith urged community members to refrain from giving money directly to unhoused individuals, suggesting instead that they support local organizations that provide assistance. The task force's collaborative approach aims to create a more effective response to homelessness in Summit, focusing on long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes.

The meeting concluded with a call for public comments, during which community member Vicki Letterman raised concerns about the impact of hedge funds and investment companies purchasing single-family homes and converting them into rentals, urging the council to consider protective measures for the community.