(b)To this end, the builder of restricted units shall deposit funds within the Affordable Housing Trust Fund sufficient to install accessible entrances in 10% of the affordable units that have been constructed with adaptable entrances.
(c)The funds deposited shall be expended for the sole purpose of making the adaptable entrance of an affordable unit accessible when requested to do so by a person with a disability who occupies or intends to occupy the unit and requires an accessible entrance.
(d)The developer of the restricted units shall submit to the Construction Official a design plan and cost estimate for the conversion from adaptable to accessible entrances.
(e)Once the Construction Official has determined that the design plan to convert the unit entrances from adaptable to accessible meets the requirements of the Barrier Free Subcode, N.J.A.C. 5:23-7, and that the cost estimate of such conversion is reasonable, payment shall be made to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and earmarked appropriately.
vii.Full compliance with the foregoing provisions shall not be required where an entity can demonstrate that it is “site-impracticable” to meet the requirements. If full compliance with this section would be site impracticable, compliance with this section for any portion of the dwelling shall be required to the extent that it is not site impracticable. Determinations of site impracticability shall comply with the Barrier Free Subcode at N.J.A.C. 5:23-7.
E. Affordable Housing Programs
1.Pursuant to amended UHAC regulations at N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.1 et seq. and, in addition, pursuant to P.L. 2024, c.2 and specifically to the amended FHA at N.J.S.A. 52:27D-311.m, “All parties shall be entitled to rely upon regulations on municipal credits, adjustments, and compliance mechanisms adopted by the Council on Affordable Housing unless those regulations are contradicted by statute, including but not limited to P.L. 2024, c.2, or binding court decisions.” The following are many of the main provisions of the COAH regulations at either N.J.A.C. 5:93 or 5:97 that have been upheld by the NJ Supreme Court. Municipalities should consult the cited full COAH regulations when preparing the HEFSP for required documentation, etc. Additional compliance details may also be included in the specific municipal program manual.
2.Rehabilitation Programs (per N.J.A.C. 5:93-5.2 with updated provisions herein per N.J.A.C. 5:97-6.2 related to credit towards a municipal present need obligation).
a.The rehabilitation program shall be designed to renovate deficient housing units occupied or intended to be occupied by very low-, low- and moderate-income households such that, after rehabilitation, these units will comply with the New Jersey State Housing Code pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:28-1.1 et seq or the Rehabilitation Subcode, N.J.A.C. 5:23-6 to the extent applicable.