Photo courtesy of OCA Architects.
October brings wins for a 50-year-long project in Newark, revised affordable housing plans in Wayne and two home ownership opportunities in Morristown and Camden.
Read all about this and more in this month’s Jersey Escrow—where all your housing information is stored.
Housing Opportunities This Month—To Rent or Own
Habitat for Humanity Cape May is currently accepting applications for a two-bedroom, single family house on 300 Wildwood Avenue for between $181,649 and $192,264.
Interested applicants must mail their applications to The Housing Partnership in 2 East Blackwell Street in Dover by Nov. 20. Downloadable applications are available in English and Spanish. Read more about this house and how to apply here.
Canon House Apartments in Morristown is accepting applications for one-, two- and three- bedroom apartments for very low, low and moderate income households.
Applicants must have a minimum 650 credit score and pay a $35 credit check fee. Applicants have until Nov. 23 to be included in the next lottery. To read more, click here, scroll down to “Morristown” and select the unit of interest.
The St. Joseph Carpenter Society is accepting applications for two homes in Camden.
After an application is submitted, interested applicants must take a four-week financial and homeowner education course called Homebuyer Academy. Then, the applicant will be matched with a counselor to further discuss income, household expenses, credit, savings and develop an action plan for loan application and buying your home. Read more information about the application process here.
After 50 Years, Newark’s 100% Affordable Kawaida Towers Is Approved
On Oct. 19, the Newark Central Planning Board approved the Kawaida Towers, a project that’s been 50 years in the making.
Named after pan-African organization Kawaida Temple, the development was originally spearheaded by poet and activist Amiri Baraka, father of Mayor Ras Baraka and proposed to have 210 affordable units on 129 Lincoln Avenue. This project was struck down by opposition from residents and a lawsuit from councilman Anthony Imperiale in 1972 or 1976; an archived newspaper clip from The New York Times reads 1972, while Jersey Diggs reports 1976 in their most recent article.
Jersey Diggs has previously reported that the Kawaida project and mission tried to be revived in 2021.
The approved Kawaida Towers will have 33 total affordable units, broken down to six one-bedroom, 16 two-bedroom and 11 three-bedroom units. It also will include a fitness center, a grocery store, an outdoor roof terrace and a tenant lounge.
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Wayne Affordable Housing Strategy Ordered To Be Revised by NJ Superior Court
On Oct. 15, New Jersey Superior Court Judge Darren J. Sardo concluded that Wayne’s current state of housing and affordable housing development does not comply with the state’s Fair Housing Act and Mount Laurel Doctrine.
The township has 60 days, or until Dec. 14, to make revisions. The judge’s order suggests that the township can expand the amount of housing and allocate more affordable housing. The following are units that the court has ordered increased units for:
- 1982 Hamburg Turnpike: 375 to 400 multi-family units, with 80 reserved for affordable housing
- 1600 Valley Road: Wayne Township must allow the development of 250 townhomes with 50 affordable units and an additional 50 units for a senior apartment building.
You can read more about this here.
Senior Housing and Affordable Housing Waitlists Open in Paterson
Freedom Village Senior Apartments and The Heritage at Alexander Hamilton in Paterson have opened their waitlists on October 20.
Freedom Village Senior Apartments, located on 69 Straight Avenue, is a gated community for residents aged above 55.
The community features a community room and a fitness center. The application can be found online, but must be mailed to Freedom Village at 69 Straight Street.
The Heritage at Alexander Hamilton, located on 685 East 34th Street, is an apartment community for families with one, two, three bedroom apartments or townhomes available. Similar to Freedom Village, applications to be added to the waitlist must be mailed to 685 East 34th Street.
Both apartment communities do not specify a deadline for applications.
