Plans for The Place at Haddonfield call for a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom homes, each with private entrances, providing affordable housing for 20 families in the borough. — Rendering by Barton Partners/Courtesy: Community Investment Strategies
By Joshua Burd
Community Investment Strategies Inc. has broken ground on a new townhome community in Haddonfield that it says will provide the borough with a needed infusion of affordable housing.
Known as The Place at Haddonfield, the collection of 20 three-story homes will soon rise off Snowden Avenue behind the municipal building. Plans call for a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom homes, each with private entrances, with a 15-month construction timeline.
The developer joined local officials recently for a groundbreaking ceremony for the long-awaited, $4.7 million investment.
“It’s been a pleasure to work with the mayor and the Haddonfield administration who were completely aligned in our goals and approach to building this project,” said Christiana Foglio CEO of Community Investment Strategies. “Although this isn’t a large project, its impact will be tremendous.”
In a news release, CIS said The Place at Haddonfield is more than 15 years in the making and will be the first affordable housing for families in the borough. It’s building the project with funding from the state’s Department of Community Affairs, which offers a range of programs and services, including local government management and finance, affordable housing production, community planning and development.
The firm attributes the delays over the years to concerns about unit sizes, parking, tree removal, population density and the town’s historic preservation plan.
“It’s critically important for people to have the ability to achieve housing in a community like ours,” Mayor Colleen Bianco Bezich said. “We can’t wait to welcome the 20 individuals or families who are going to be a part of the fabric of Haddonfield.”
When complete, the development will serve households earning 60 percent or less of the area median income. At least half of the units will be available to households earning 50 percent or less of AMI, while at least 13 percent will be reserved for those earning 30 percent of AMI.
At the current AMI for Camden County, eligible incomes may include $68,640 or below.
“To build in a downtown site where people who normally are limited in choice because of the ability to pay rent would never get the opportunity to live in this location, this community, have access to close transit,” Foglio said. “And we are so excited by being a part of providing this opportunity.”
The development is within walking distance of shops and entertainment in downtown Haddonfield and is minutes from Interstate 295, Route 70 and the New Jersey Turnpike.
