Council Takes Step To Expand Affordable Housing In Moorestown

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown Council is moving forward with a proposal to expand the number of affordable housing units in the township. Moorestown Council unanimously approved a proposed ordinance on introduction to extend payments on 101 affordable housing units in the township that are set to expire, and add units to the township during its meeting on Monday night, Sept. 11, at town hall.

The extension and additions would be good for up to 30 more years, at a cost of about $30,000 per unit, including all necessary work and materials. The township would appropriate $3,045,000 and borrow $2,892,750 in bonds or notes under the proposal. It includes a down payment from the township’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which had about $1 million in it as of Monday night.

The approval came a week after the township sent out an RFQ for the construction, maintenance and management of an affordable housing project on the lot known as the Nagle Tract. Sealed qualifications will be publicly received, opened, and announced by the township on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 3 p.m. at town hall, according to the RFQ.

There will be a one-hour pre-submission conference to answer questions at town hall on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 3 p.m. Those who submit bids are not required to attend, but attendance is recommended. To view the full RFQ, visit moorestown.nj.us.

• $21,396.19 to Clarke Caton Hintz for consulting services;
• $21,305 to Capehart Scatchard for consulting services; and
• $4,312.50 to Special Court Master, Elizabeth C. McKenzie, PP, PA for special court master services.

Affordable housing continues to be a controversial issue in New Jersey. Earlier this year, the State Supreme Court ruled that more than 200,000 affordable housing units must either be built or converted from existing units throughout New Jersey, according to nj.com.

Advocacy group Fair Share Housing Center has called for an additional 1,600 units in Moorestown, but the township disputes that number and is attempting to reach a reasonable compromise, Mayor Manny Delgado said during Monday night’s meeting.

The public hearing and final vote on Monday night’s proposal is scheduled for the Sept. 25 council meeting at town hall.

Patch file photo