40:55D-101. Legislative findings and declarations

The Legislature finds and declares that:

a. The housing needs of many New Jersey citizens remain unmet each year, exemplified by the fact that, in recent years, only one-half of the estimated annual need for new housing units has been actually constructed.

b. The costs of conventional housing construction, mortgages, land and utilities have increased tremendously in recent years making it increasingly difficult for certain segments of the population, notably the elderly, families with young children, unmarried individuals, and young couples, to afford suitable conventional housing.

c. Due to the conventional housing shortage in New Jersey, the Legislature has a responsibility to encourage alternate means of housing for New Jersey citizens.

d. The design, durability and appearance of manufactured housing has improved significantly over the last decade so that certain styles of manufactured homes are difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish from conventional homes, and yet only 400 of these manufactured homes were sold Statewide during 1982.

e. Despite these significant improvements, there has not been a corresponding rapid escalation in the costs of manufactured homes, with the result that these homes remain affordable for the general population.

f. It is, therefore, in the public interest to promote the use of manufactured homes as affordable housing in New Jersey.

L.1983, c. 386, s. 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1984, operative Dec. 22, 1983.