On April 8, 2009 Lawrence Township (Mercer County), became the first municipality in New Jersey to receive substantive certification under the revised third round regulations when the NJ Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) voted unanimously to approve its Housing Element and Fair Share Plan. Clarke Caton Hintz has been providing planning, redevelopment and affordable housing services to Lawrence Township since 1992.  Lawrence Township is one of Clarke Caton Hintz’s 20 municipal clients that have requested third round substantive certification from COAH since late 2008. 

Lawrence Township’s Amended Housing Element satisfies an obligation of 1,462 affordable housing units using a combination of rehabilitation and new construction - in mixed income communities for families, senior citizens and for those with special needs.  Lawrence Township has a successful history of ensuring that housing affordable to residents of all incomes is available. The Township’s land use policies have facilitated the development of 18 c0mmunities that offer housing for a mix of incomes along with additional developments that offer housing for seniors and those with special needs. Mayor Pamela Mount along with Philip Caton and Beth McManus of Clarke Caton Hintz attended the COAH Board meeting and accepted the Council’s certification.