56. a. (1) The New Jersey Aspire Program is hereby established as a program under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The authority shall administer the program to encourage redevelopment projects through the provision of incentive awards to reimburse developers for certain project financing gap costs. The board may approve the award of an incentive award to a developer upon application to the authority pursuant to sections 58 and 59 of P.L.2020, c.156 (C. 34:1B-326 and C. 34:1B-327). The value of all tax credits approved by the authority pursuant to sections 54 through 67 of P.L.2020, c.156 (C. 34:1B-322 through 34:1B-335) shall be subject to the limitations set forth in section 98 of P.L.2020, c.156 (C. 34:1B-362).

(2) The authority, in consultation with the agency, shall adopt rules and regulations, pursuant to subsection b. of section 67 of P.L.2020, c.156 (C. 34:1B-335), concerning the establishment and administration of the affordability controls that shall apply to the residential units constructed for occupancy by low- and moderate-income households under the program, including, but not limited to, residential units within residential projects that utilize federal low-income housing tax credits awarded by the agency. Notwithstanding any provision of law or regulation to the contrary, the affordability controls shall, at a minimum, be consistent with the affordability controls established in the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to the “Fair Housing Act,” P.L.1985, c.222 (C. 52:27D-301 et al.), as in effect immediately prior to the effective date of P.L.2023, c.98 (C. 34:1B-335.1 et al.), including, but not limited to, any requirements concerning the bedroom distributions, affordability averages, affirmative marketing, and long-term deed restrictions of residential units constructed for occupancy by low- and moderate-income households.

b. The chief executive officer of the authority shall designate one staff member per government-restricted municipality in order to keep the municipality informed on activities within the municipality and to coordinate economic development initiatives.

L.2020, c.156, s.56; amended 2023, c.98, s.2.