Long Branch Housing Authority Hopes For Funding For Second Phase of Projects

Having secured funding for the first phase of two major projects, The Long Branch Housing Authority (LBHA) is now working on the next phase of the Woodrow Wilson and Gregory School housing projects.

During Tuesday night's meeting, the Long Branch Council introduced an ordinance that will allow the LBHA to make payments in lieu of taxes for the second phase of the Woodrow Wilson apartments, because of the fact that the project project qualifies for a tax abatement under the Long Term Tax Exemption Law. LBHA Executive Director Tyrone Garrett said this is a necessary step for the authority's application with United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The council passed a similar ordinance last year for the first phase of the Woodrow Wilson project, which will include demolishing and renovating 65 units near the complex's High Street entrance. Garrett said demolition should begin in September with construction taking between 12-18 months.

The second phase would include the demolition of the remaining original apartments and construction of 85 new units, for a total of 150 new apartments, Garrett has said.

The Gregory School project has two phases, and the first will include the construction of 65 one and two-bedroom units located in the school building and a new four-story structure that would be built near the school, Garret has said. The units would be available to those whose incomes are at or below 60 percent of the area's median income, he has said. The Gregory School project construction could also begin in September with a similar construction schedule.

The second phase of the project would include the addition of 47 housing units as well a mixed-use building, Garret has said.

The LBHA received nearly $16 million for the Gregory School project and $15 million in tax credits from  Housing Mortgage and Financing Agency (HMFA)for the Woodrow Wilson projects' first phases in November. The LBHA will soon be sending an application to HUD for the second phases of the projects with the hope of receiving similar funding. The authority has a May 1 deadline to submit applications for the projects.

Garrett said there could also be a third phase of the Gregory School project which would include the construction of "market rate units," to go along with the affordable housing units.