Long Branch Housing Authority Unveils First Homeownership Units

The Long Branch Housing Authority (LBHA) has finished the construction of eight homeownership units in Garfiled Court and has announced they are now on the market.

The Homes at Hope Lane are the first homeownership units units produced by the LBHA, and their completion marks the end of the authority's Hope VI initiative.

The revitalization of the LBHA's housing complexes is part of a national initiative known as HOPE VI that pumped $6.7 billion in federal funding into America’s cities within the past 18 years. It’s been an effort to replace distressed housing projects with townhouses and other low-rise developments designed to provide tenants with a cleaner and safer way of life.

During a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Homes at Hope Lane on Saturday, Development Officer Jacob Fisher, of Penrose Properties, said the completion of the units is "special."

"It's a special experience to actually walk through the units now that they're completed," Fisher said. "They are really nice and I think they will sell quickly."

The 3-bedroom townhomes are available for residents who meet certain income limits. Seven are still available, as one was sold late last year.

Those interested in purchasing one of the homes should contact Thomas Lorber of Woodward Realty Group at 732-671-0100.

Lorber said he was impressed by the units and the hard work the LBHA has put into developing them.

"The (LBHA) has a vision of what they are doing for the people of Long Branch," Lorber said. "I salute the team that has done the work and gotten us to this point."

Under Long Branch’s $20 million HOPE VI grant, housing complexes that had provided 290 units of public housing were improved and downsized to 246 units. Two hundred and thirty-eight units have been built so far, and the Homes at Hope Lane are the remaining eight units.

The initiative, which began in 2005, included the renovation of Seaview Manor, Presidential Estates and Garfield Court 1 and 2. It also included the building of the Bucky James Community Center, which is located near Garfield Court.