A panel of experts will meet on Wednesday evening (full details here) to discuss New Jersey’s latest round of state-mandated affordable housing construction. The discussion comes just weeks after the announcement, first reported at Walkable Princeton, that the town of Princeton would be required to provide 276 new affordable homes over the next 10 years (Report: State: Town of Princeton Must Plan For 276 New Affordable Homes To Be Built Over Next Ten Years). A number of new housing developments have been constructed in Princeton in recent years. In many cases, these developments are to help the town meet state fair housing requirements. But there is still a lot of confusion and misinformation about why and how these new housing developments are built.

One example of a new affordable housing housing development in Princeton is the ‘Avalon Princeton at Harrison’ apartment building, which is approaching completion at the Princeton Shopping Center (see image at top). People who want to apply for one of the affordable units in this development have until December 3 to get their name on the waiting list. This apartment building was constructed as part of the town’s 2019 settlement to meet state affordable housing regulations. 20% of the homes in the building will be affordable units, with the rest renting at regular market rates.

At a recent ‘Princeton Future’ development, held on October 26 at the Princeton Theological Seminar, it was clear that many people in the audience did not know who qualifies for affordable homes in Princeton, or how much the affordable homes cost. The affordable homes at the ‘Avalon Princeton at Harrison’ building will rent from as low as $489 per month, but the exact rate depends on the household income of the resident. Households with incomes up to $120,690 potentially qualify for one of the affordable units.

Although Democrats are reeling from an electoral disaster sparked by voters who are fed up with the cost-of-living crisis, there is still widespread opposition to affordable housing in Princeton. A proposed mixed-income apartment building at 344 Nassau Street was blocked by neighbors who were upset that it might spoil their views. Another building on North Tulane Street, which was supposed to provide affordable housing, was hit with a stop-work order by the town in a dispute over historic preservation. And a group of wealthy residents in the Mercer Hill neighborhood are currently suing to prevent the construction of a mixed-income apartment development on Stockton Street.

Clearly, the town’s need for affordable housing remains a controversial and complicated topic. The event on Wednesday night will potentially provide some clarity about the issues and the path forward. Speakers will include state Senator Troy Singleton, who was the lead author of legislation passed earlier this year that defines how the affordable housing obligation for each town is set. Adam Gordon, executive director of advocacy organization “Fair Share Housing Center” and Valerie Haynes, the former president of Princeton Community Housing, will also be on the panel.

• Place: The Jewish Center of Princeton, 43 Nassau Street, Princeton, or online via Zoom
• To register or for more informatino: email linda.oppenheim@gmail.com 
• Date / Time: Wednesday, November 13, 6.00 p.m. – 7.30 p.m.
• Full event details (via Tap Into Princeton)