Published: October 23, 2013
By Staci Berger

The recent article describing the most affordable places for New Jerseyans to purchase a home showed how unbalanced our housing market is (“Where homes are within reach for the middle class in New Jersey,” Oct. 14, NJ.com). Affordable homes are in abundance in Salem County, for families earning $62,000 annually.

New Jersey’s median family income is $69,000. Nearly half of New Jersey’s families cannot afford to buy a home in Salem or any other county. Our persistently high unemployment rate constrains job mobility.

New Jersey needs more homes that residents can afford in every county. Gov. Chris Christie can help solve this housing crisis and spur the economy by moving quickly to address the recent Supreme Court ruling on housing issues. Adopting the Council on Affordable Housing’s prior successful methodology will get shovels in the ground to create the homes we need.

People need to be able to afford to live near where they already work, and have the option to move to a more affordable home in another part of our state. The governor should put more homes within reach for all New Jersey’s residents.

Staci Berger, executive director, Housing and Community Development Network of N.J., Trenton