Builders League of South Jersey Launches Campaign Asking Residents to Educate Themselves on Why the Housing Costs Are Out of Reach.

CHERRY HILL, N.J. -- The Builders League of South Jersey has launched a multi-faceted public relations campaign to heighten the public's awareness on housing issues and how they impact area residents.

The Builders League, a housing industry trade association of 680 South Jersey-based firms, is asking residents to take the responsibility to learn more on smart growth issues and understand why the housing costs are skyrocketing in the region.

"New Jersey's residents are frustrated by the cost of housing. The gap between homes that are affordable and what the average working residents can afford is widening," said BLSJ President Michael H. Karmatz. "The fact is New Jersey suffers from a severe housing crisis. For years, the amount of homes allowed to be built has not met the demand. Instead, we are creating a society of the haves and have-nots."

The campaign addresses a general lack of information by the public on the issues that factor into the cost of housing in New Jersey. The Builders League is asking residents to demand their legislators focus on producing more housing in New Jersey.

"People assume that rising costs in housing equate solely to rising profits for developers. They also believe that all new housing will automatically mean rising property taxes for existing residents. That's green rage spewed by anti-housing advocates. It's just not so," Karmatz said. "There are many factors that affect the cost of housing in this state. Some - such as overregulation, duplication and time delays in the approval process - can be revamped to improve the availability and affordability of housing."

The Builders League is reminding residents that to put a family in a new home in New Jersey, it takes about five years for a developer to satisfy any number of 150 different permits on five levels of government. The excessive number of permits required and time delays adds an extra $70,000 to the ticket price of a new home, all before you factor in the cost of land, labor, materials and insurance. It explains why the cost of housing is out of reach for the average working resident.

The campaign points out the drastic gap in affordability, noting that the median price of a new home in New Jersey is now $380,000 and the average sales price of an existing home is $313,200 statewide. A typical working family earning the state's median household income of $55,000 a year can afford a home costing approximately $160,000.

"If workers can't afford housing within a reasonable commute of their jobs, businesses won't be able to maintain their workforce. That will neither help the economy nor improve the quality of life here in New Jersey," Karmatz said.

Incorporating several shocking in-your-face ads the campaign will appear on billboards and in print and cable advertising throughout South Jersey.

One advertisement features a young boy sadly contemplating life while his father says, "Don't worry. When Grandmom dies we'll get the house." The ad asks "where will New Jersey's families live if we can't build homes they can afford? Educate Yourself. You're not getting the whole story."

Focusing on water issues, the second advertisement depicts young children playing in a sprinkler. The headline reads "Look like fun? Not in New Jersey. Water shortages during flood season? You're not getting the whole story. Educate yourself."

The water ad draws attention to the fact that developers, municipalities and water purveyors throughout the region are not being issued new or extended water allocation permits, thus creating a moratorium on new development. Water is being used as a tool to stop the development of new homes without the scientific proof to show there is a true water shortage. Additionally, the Administration has stalled or denied these permits instead of seeking long-term solutions to meeting the population's water needs (i.e. desalinization plants and new reservoirs).

"Why should New Jersey residents care about this? It's simple. Decisions that are made on how land is used or not used have a direct impact on housing costs for each and every resident, whether they own a home or not; whether they're moving today or not," Karmatz said. "Time costs money. People need to understand that they can empower their legislators to address the housing crisis."

With its Smart Growth Platform, the Builders League has promoted solutions to balanced growth in South Jersey that would provide housing while planning for preservation and environmental protection. For more information on the BLSJ Smart Growth Platform, visit www.builderfusion.com/nj_blsj/BLSJ%20Smart%20Growth%20Platform.pdf

MORE ABOUT THE BLSJ: The Builders League of South Jersey is a housing industry trade association of 680 South Jersey-based member firms, including builders, developers, engineers, architects, engineers, professional planners, landscapers, designers, suppliers, subcontractors and tradesmen, suppliers, and other consulting professionals committed to providing safe, healthful housing for all New Jersey residents. The Builders League, which is composed of firms from Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, Cape May and Atlantic counties, is an affiliate of the New Jersey Builders Association and the National Association of Home Builders. For more information on the League's campaign visit www.blsj.com.

Attention editors and reporters: To view copies of the print ads, visit www.blsj.com Electronic photos of BLSJ President Michael H. Karmatz are available upon request.