A melee over Section 8 housing in Orange is highlighting the lack of affordable housing in the Garden State.

Connie Pascale, vice president of Legal Services of New Jersey, says people sometimes have to wait up to 10 years to get into government housing. Housing advocates add that even families making $60,000 a year report having problems finding homes. Experts blame rising living costs.

Nearly 1,000 people showed up for just 200 Section 8 applications Wednesday. Witnesses say cops sprayed some of the applicants with pepper spray when they became overwhelmed. Section 8 vouchers help low-income and moderate-income families pay rent. They?re awarded based on salary, family size and rental rates.

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