§ 200-237.3. Affirmative marketing requirements.

A. 

The Township of West Windsor shall adopt by resolution an affirmative marketing plan, subject to the approval of the Court that is compliant with N.J.A.C. 5:80-25.15, as it may be amended and supplemented.

B. 

The affirmative marketing plan is a regional marketing strategy designed to attract buyers and/or renters of all majority and minority groups, regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, disability, age or number of children to housing units which are being marketed by a developer, sponsor or owner of affordable housing. The affirmative marketing plan is intended to target those potentially eligible persons who are least likely to apply for affordable units in that region. In addition, as a result of the settlement agreement with FSHC, the affirmative marketing plan shall require the notification of the FSHC, New Jersey State Conference of the NAACP, the Latino Action Network, STEPS, Ocean, Inc., the Greater Red Bank, Asbury Park/Neptune, Bayshore, Greater Freehold, Greater Long Branch and Trenton Branches of the NAACP, and the Supportive Housing Alliance of affordable housing opportunities. It is a continuing program that directs marketing activities toward Housing Region 4 and is required to be followed throughout the period of restriction.

C. 

The affirmative marketing plan shall provide a regional preference for all households that live and/or work in Housing Region 4, comprised of Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

D. 

The Township has the ultimate responsibility for adopting the affirmative marketing plan and for the proper administration of the affirmative marketing program, including initial sales and rentals and resales and rerentals. The administrative agent designated by the Township shall implement the affirmative marketing plan to assure the affirmative marketing of all affordable units.

E. 

In implementing the affirmative marketing plan, the administrative agent shall provide a list of counseling services to low- and moderate-income applicants on subjects such as budgeting, credit issues, mortgage qualification, rental lease requirements, and landlord/tenant law.

F. 

The affirmative marketing plan shall describe the media to be used in advertising and publicizing the availability of housing. In implementing the affirmative marketing plan, the administrative agent shall consider the use of language translations where appropriate.

G. 

The affirmative marketing process for available affordable units shall begin at least four months (120 days) prior to the expected date of occupancy.

H. 

Applications for affordable housing shall be available in several locations, including, at a minimum, the Mercer County Library Headquarters, Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Ocean County Library, West Windsor Library, the West Windsor Municipal Building and the developer's rental office. Preapplications may be emailed to prospective applicants upon request. Otherwise, hard copies are available from the Township's Municipal Housing Liaison.

I. 

The costs of advertising and affirmative marketing of the affordable units shall be the responsibility of the developer, sponsor or owner.