Applications open for town’s first fully affordable homes

Applications are now open for residency at Haddonfield’s first apartments made up entirely of affordable-housing rentals.

The Place at Haddonfield is still under construction downtown, with occupancy expected to begin in July. Mayor Colleen Bianco Bezich played a key role in making the site’s two, three-story buildings eligible for affordable housing.  

“I worked incredibly hard to bring this housing to fruition, including efforts to secure nearly $5 million in funding,” she said, “so it brings me great joy and excitement to count this as a major part of my legacy as mayor.” 

The complex will have 20 apartment homes for rent: four one-bedroom, 10 two-bedroom and six three-bedroom units. Each includes central heat and air conditioning; cable and internet access; a fire suppression system; and an appliance package that includes a refrigerator, dishwasher, range hood and stove/oven.

Emergency maintenance at all hours and on-site parking will also be available. 

“All residents must qualify based on income, per state regulations,” Bianco Bezich explained. “We anticipate individuals, couples and families of all ages and abilities will live here.”

Rents from very low to moderate will be based on income and apartment size, which ranges from 711 to 1,285 square feet. The maximum annual income for a one-bedroom unit is $24,087 for the very low bracket to $64,232 for the moderate bracket. The figures are $27,528 and $73,408, respectively, for two- bedroom apartments. 

Only three apartments – a one-bedroom and two three-bedroom units – are set aside for the very low designation; their monthly rent will be $436 for one bedroom and $575 for the three-bedroom units. 

“The beauty of inclusive and affordable housing means that there are opportunities for people who can’t afford to purchase or maintain a home due our high property values to still have the opportunity to live and work, shop, dine and play here in our downtown, the safest community in South Jersey,” the mayor noted. 

“This means our own firefighters, police, teachers, as well as adults with disabilities, single-parent households and others who can’t achieve a home here no matter how hard they work or how much they sacrifice and endure can call Haddonfield home.” 

Leases are for one year and include utilities like water, sewer, trash and landscaping. Electric and gas are not included in the rent and are expected to be about $170 for one-bedroom units, $226 for two-bedroom and $279 for three-bedroom. 

Paper applications for The Place at Haddonfield are available at the Haddonfield library and others are online.