New Senior Housing Community To Be Built In Woodbridge

A 57-unit affordable senior housing community is coming to the Hopelawn section of Woodbridge, officials said.

Woodbridge Township Mayor John E. McCormac joined with representatives from the Woodbridge Affordable Housing Corporation, Ingerman Affordable Housing, BCM Affordable Housing, and the Hopelawn VFW to make the announcement earlier this week.

Dalina Manor will be open to residents 55 and over. It will replace the Hopelawn VFW building that borders Worden Avenue, John Street and James Street.

“Securing the former Hopelawn VFW building represents a significant step toward achieving our goal of ensuring that Woodbridge Township senior residents have access to quality, affordable residential options,” McCormac said in a prepared statement. “Additionally, we celebrate the future Dalina Manor as the project will serve to enhance the Hopelawn landscape by transforming the underutilized VFW building into a vibrant new community for senior residents. Woodbridge Township has experienced BCM Affordable Housing and Ingerman’s first-class work before at the recently completed Reinhard Manor Senior Housing Complex in Colonia and Maple Tree Manor, and we’re excited by the company’s continued investment in our community.”

According to a township news release:

BCM will invest almost $13 million in the project. The company is partnering with Ingerman Affordable Housing.

The community will have one and two-bedroom apartments, a multi-purpose room, on-site management offices, and “a resident services program tailored to meet the needs of those living in the community.”

It will also be the home of the Hopelawn VFW Post #1352.

In a statement, William J. Wisk the post commander, said his members reached out to the mayor’s office last year to discuss the sale of the property.

“Post membership was in decline, and we were fully aware that the Post could no longer afford to maintain the property,’’ he said. “Working with the Mayor’s Office and BCM Affordable Housing, we were able to put together a financial package that was acceptable to the VFW and which allows the Post to continue activities at the new Dalina Manor community center. I am thankful that we were able to put together a project that will serve the future interests of the members of the Hopelawn VFW and, as importantly, provide affordable housing for senior residents.”

Photo courtesy Woodbridge Township