Affordable housing is coming to one of N.J.’s wealthiest towns
Affordable housing is coming to one of N.J.’s wealthiest towns NJ.com
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Affordable Housing Project Breaks Ground in Saddle River
Affordable housing is coming to one of the state’s wealthiest communities, as Saddle River in Bergen County broke ground Friday on the Residences at Choctaw Trail, a 112-unit apartment complex that will open doors to people of low- and moderate-income when it is completed in 2025.
Community Development and Sustainable Development Goals
Saddle River Mayor Albert J. Kurpis and members of the council grabbed shovels to ceremonially scoop dirt with the developer, Jonathan Lubonski of The Michaels Organization for the borough’s first family affordable housing project.
“This project is an example of community development and showcases Saddle River’s dedication to enhancing the quality of life for all old and new residents alike,” Kurpis said. “It represents our commitment to progress, inclusivity and the well-being of our community.”
Positive Impact and Social Services
“These apartments will have a direct, positive impact on many lives,” said Lubonski, managing vice president of The Michaels Organization, one of the largest affordable housing developers in the country.
Lubonski said a nonprofit contracted by the Michaels Organization would provide residents with a full menu” of free social services focused on health and wellness, financial literacy, occupational wellness and stability, academic support, and community engagement. In addition, academic scholarships, worth up to $10,000 a year, would also be available to residents, he said.
Inspiring Other Communities and Mount Laurel Doctrine
“I truly hope we have inspired other communities to recognize the importance of affordable housing,” Lubonski said.
Nearly 50 years have passed since the New Jersey Supreme Court, in a pair of rulings, outlawed exclusionary zoning and established what came to be known as the Mount Laurel Doctrine. Those rulings, dubbed Mt. Laurel I and II, first established that New Jersey towns couldn’t zone to keep poor people out – and later required every municipality to provide its “fair share” of affordable housing.
Income Disparity and Rental Limits
According to the 2020 Census, Saddle River has a median household income of $228,750, more than double the state average of $96,346. The borough of 3,300 residents ranks 12th out of 564 municipalities in household income, but until now, none of those “houses” have been “affordable.”
Project Details and Funding
The Borough of Saddle River in Bergen County broke ground on a 112-unit affordable housing complex on Thursday, April 4, 2024. The Residences at Choctaw Trail will be developed by The Michaels Organization and is scheduled for completion in July 2025.Richard Cowen/NJ Advance Media for NJ.ComSDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable | The provision of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income individuals in Saddle River can contribute to reducing poverty and improving the well-being of residents. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums | The construction of the Residences at Choctaw Trail, a 112-unit affordable housing complex, aims to provide safe and affordable housing options for low- and moderate-income individuals in Saddle River. |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all | The nonprofit contracted by The Michaels Organization will provide residents with free social services focused on health and wellness, contributing to the well-being of the community. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university | Academic scholarships worth up to $10,000 a year will be available to residents of the affordable housing complex, promoting equal access to quality education. |
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Source: nj.com
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