WEST ORANGE, NJ — Ceremonial shovels hit the dirt at the site of the West Orange Senior Housing Community, where local political dignitaries and other key stakeholders joined full-service real estate company The Alpert Group LLC for the project’s official groundbreaking on December 1.
The 100% affordable, 65-unit community will make West Orange a model for the type of affordable housing that senior residents need to age in place.
"We've been looking forward to this groundbreaking, as it's critically important for West Orange's seniors who have a strong need for local, affordable housing,” said West Orange Mayor Susan McCartney. “We'll also be providing a helping hand to homeless seniors through dedicated permanent housing and access to essential social services. This new building is the result of significant collaboration between many local and state organizations that are improving the lives of seniors."
Located at 46 Mount Pleasant Ave., the West Orange Senior Housing project will include one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, on-site parking, modern amenities, and age-friendly features.
Incorporating Permanent Homeless Housing Units
The five units of age-restricted, permanent supportive housing units for homeless persons will allow those residents to access a comprehensive array of social services focused on helping them live independently in a safe and secure environment. Services provided to those residents will include service coordination/case management, linkages to healthcare and treatment programs, educational/vocational training programs, employment and job readiness programs, financial empowerment programs, life skills training, transportation, and wellness resources.
The income-restricted community is helping to satisfy West Orange’s affordable housing obligation and is partially funded by the NJHMFA Affordable Housing Production Fund, an appropriation from the NJ. Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.
Joseph Alpert, president of The Alpert Group, said, "The West Orange Senior Housing Community building is addressing a dire need in New Jersey for affordable senior housing, and we are proud to partner with financing entities that believe in this mission. When it opens in late summer 2024, the project will likely be transformative for many people in West Orange. This is the sort of development that uplifts everyone in the community."
Financial partners include New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, Enterprise Community Partners, TD Bank, Essex County, and The Township of West Orange.
Essex County executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., said, “I am pleased that Essex County is able to partner with the Twp. of West Orange and The Alpert Group to support this mixed-use development that will bring space for the community and affordable rental units to the township’s Main Street corridor. This unique combination of uses enhances ratables for West Orange while providing first-class public space.”
New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency Chief of Staff Terry Tucker noted, “This beautiful project is one of many NJHMFA has made possible through our landmark Affordable Housing Production Fund, a program which was championed by my dear friend, the late Lt. Governor, Sheila Y. Oliver.”