Murphy Administration Announces More Than $19.51 Million in Affordable Housing Trust Fund Awards

  • Posted on: 03/01/2022

Funding Will Help Develop 102 Affordable Rental and Homeownership Housing Units

TRENTON, NJ – The Murphy Administration today announced the award of $19.51 million to organizations across the state through the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF). The fund is administered by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and provides financial assistance for the development of different types of affordable housing projects to create stronger, fairer communities in which people can afford to live.

“My administration is committed to creating a path to opportunity and prosperity for everyone in New Jersey. This path must include housing that is affordable to the individuals and families who call this great state home,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Today’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund awards announcement demonstrates that we are putting meaningful resources behind our words to help create more than 100 affordable housing units around New Jersey. We look forward to seeing these projects completed in the near future and to the future affordable housing that is developed as a result of this important trust fund.”

“As DCA Commissioner, I’ve had the chance to see on numerous occasions the incredibly positive impact affordable housing has on people’s lives. When a person has stable, quality housing, they are able to take advantage of so many other opportunities,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, who serves as DCA Commissioner. “This is why I am proud of the work DCA is doing to utilize the Affordable Housing Trust Fund for its intended purpose. Through this fund, we are helping more people gain access to affordable and decent housing, including veterans, minorities, and victims of domestic violence.”

The projects selected for awards demonstrated strong municipal support, participation in other state-funded community development initiatives, partnerships with private sector investors, sustainability and/or resilience components, walkability, connection to a mix of uses, accessibility, and thoughtfulness in addressing gentrification.

All the awards were given to smaller rental and homeownership housing projects sized at 25 or fewer units, which often have difficulty obtaining financing. These projects will fill the gaps within the existing affordable housing framework, build on current assets and investments, and add value to neighborhoods. The projects are also being developed by community-based organizations that have a strong connection to the housing equity issues in their communities.

All housing units receiving AHTF funding must be deed-restricted for a minimum of 20 years.

AHTF grants are awarded through three funds:

  • Municipal Settlement Fund, which helps municipalities create smaller-scale projects that fit into the landscapes of their neighborhoods and assists them in fulfilling their court-approved affordable housing settlements;
  • Neighborhood Partnerships Fund, which supports the development of affordable housing in Qualified Urban Aid Towns, particularly projects that leverage other existing resources to strengthen their neighborhoods; and
  • Innovation Fund, which assists inventive projects that may not fit under the umbrella of the other two funds but that creatively advance the State of New Jersey’s housing goals.

The following AHTF awards announced today were funded through the Neighborhood Partnerships Fund:

Affordable Housing Trust Fund Awards

Award Recipient

Project

Funding Pool

Program Description

County

Units

Award Amount

Morris County Habitat for Humanity

146 Morris Avenue Summit Affordable Homeownership Project

Municipal Settlement Fund

Construction of 12 condominium homeownership units in two buildings located at 146 Morris Avenue in Summit City.

Union

12

$916,180

Gloucester County Housing Development Corporation

Rowan College South Jersey Special Needs Rental Housing

Municipal Settlement Fund

Construction of a 24-unit rental project located on Tanyard Road in Deptford Township for individuals with special needs.

Gloucester

24

$4,200,000

Lake Tappan Urban Renewal, LLC

Lake Tappan Commons

Municipal Settlement Fund

Construction of 25 family affordable rental apartments in River Vale Township.

Bergen

25

$5,999,994

Tompkins Street Apartments Urban Renewal, LLC

Tompkins Street Apartments

Municipal Settlement Fund

Construction of 17 family affordable rental apartments in in West Orange Township.

Essex

17

$3,060,000

170-178 First Street Urban Renewal Corporation

170-176 First Street Housing

Neighborhood Partnerships Fund

Construction of a single building containing a total of 25 affordable rental units located at 170-176 First Street in Elizabeth.

Union

24

$5,213,900

Supportive Housing Association of NJ, Inc.

New Jersey Housing Navigation Project

Innovation Fund

Support for research in national best practices and for collaborative efforts to develop practical guidelines and resources for improved New Jersey housing navigation services.

Statewide

N/A

$125,000

DCA offers a wide range of programs and services, including local government management and finance, affordable housing production, fire safety, building safety, community planning and development, and disaster recovery and mitigation.

For more information about DCA, visit https://nj.gov/dca/ or follow the Department on social media:

   DCa on Twitter

       

Contact:

DCA:
Lisa Ryan,
Gina Trish,
Tammori Petty
ph#: 609-292-6055