Request to Submit Qualifications
The Highlands Region was recognized by the state legislature as an essential source of clean and plentiful drinking water for one-half of the State's population, containing other exceptional natural resources such as clean air, contiguous forest lands, wetlands, pristine watersheds, habitat for fauna and flora, and many sites of historic significance, and providing abundant recreational opportunities. It was also recognized that the region provides a desirable quality of life and place where people live and work; and that it is important to ensure the economic viability of communities throughout the Highlands; and that residential, commercial, and industrial development, redevelopment, and economic growth in certain appropriate areas of the New Jersey Highlands are also in the best interests of all the citizens of the State, providing innumerable social, cultural, and economic benefits and opportunities. The New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council ("Highlands Council") is charged with managing all development in the region in a manner that is consistent with both the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act ("Highlands Act") and the Highlands Regional Master Plan ("RMP"). In an effort to balance the growth needs of the region with the protection of the environmental resources, the Highlands Council is in the process of comprehensively considering ways that all forms of development - commercial, residential, and industrial - can be conducted in a sustainable manner and consistent with State priorities. This includes residential development and the constitutionally mandated affordable component of the region's residential housing. Accordingly, and in connection with other efforts by the Council to assess impacts of current and future development in the region, the Council is seeking professional expertise in reviewing opportunities to plan for affordable housing that protect the resources of the region while balancing the need for affordable housing. In order to best serve the region's communities and the interests of the State of New Jersey, the Highlands Council is soliciting Statements of Qualifications and supporting information ("Qualifications Submittals") from consultants or consulting teams ("Team") with expertise in affordable housing to advise and assist the Highlands Council with implementation of the RMP and compliance with the Fair Housing Act, affordable housing obligations, and the provisions of Executive Order 114, 2008 (EO 114). Scope of Services
As requested by the Highlands Council, the selected Team will provide the following services as needed hereinafter termed the "Project:"
A. Assist the Highlands Council in implementing the goals, policies and objectives of the RMP with respect to the provision of affordable housing in the Highlands Region;
B. Assist the Highlands Council with implementation of P.L.2008, c.46, which amended the Fair Housing Act, N.J.S.A. 52:27D-301 et seq;
C. Assist the Highlands Council with the implementation of EO 114 (2008) as it relates to affordable housing; and
D. Advise the Highlands Council on potential fourth round municipal affordable housing obligations in the Highlands Region, including but not limited to a review and recommendations on existing and potential build out analyses, vacant land analyses and water and wastewater capacity and locational analyses.
Anticipated deliverables may include, but are not limited to, the following:
o Report summarizing the Highlands Council's authority and role in planning for affordable housing.
o Potential methodologies and examples of build out analyses.
o Summary of methods to calculate affordable housing obligations.
o Potential programs to permit the voluntary transfer of affordable housing obligations in accordance with the Fair Housing Act.
o Methodologies for the identification of affordable housing sites within the Highlands region in order to comply with constitutionally mandated municipal affordable housing obligations.
o Respondents may be required to appear before the Highlands Council to discuss affordable housing issues. If there are any questions regarding this Request for Qualifications, please contact Gabrielle Gallagher, Esq. Chief Counsel (gabrielle.gallagher@highlands.nj.gov).
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