Affordable housing obligation (Mount Laurel)
Under the Mount Laurel court rulings and state law, a town must use its zoning to give a realistic chance for its fair share of the region's need for low- and moderate-income homes. Towns must plan for it but are not required to build it.
New Jersey example
Under a 2024 law (P.L.2024, c.2), obligations run in 10-year rounds, starting with the fourth round on July 1, 2025. For that round, each town had to set its number by binding resolution by January 31, 2025 and adopt a housing element and fair share plan by June 30, 2025. The law also abolished COAH.
Official source
P.L. 2024, c.2 (A4 2R): An Act concerning affordable housing
This is a plain-English summary. Rules and dollar amounts change, so check the official source or a professional before you file or sign anything.