New Jersey Governor Chris Christie announced a plan to abolish the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH), the panel that administers New Jersey’s affordable housing laws.  The Department of Community Affairs will pick up administrative duties and enforce affordable housing laws in place of the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH).  Gov. Christie’s goal is to cut down on bureaucracy and save taxpayers money.  Although Christies’ plans do not require legislative approval, lawmakers can disapprove of the plan within 60 days.

In addition to the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH), the following four changes were announced:

1)      The State Planning Commission and Office of Smart Growth would go to the Department of State, from Community Affairs;

2)      The Business Retention and Attraction Division would move to State;

3)      The Amistad Commission would move from the Department of State the Department of Education; and

4)      The New Jersey Commission on Higher Education would be abolished and transferred to the Secretary of Higher Education.