For many years, a vacant lot stood at the address of 2-4 Potter Place in Weehawken. It was a patch of land nestled in a heavy residential area that was, for some reason, unattractive to possible developers and was not being utilized properly.
That was, until the township stepped in and purchased the land, seizing a perfect opportunity to develop a partnership between the private sector and public funds to create a sight for affordable housing within the township.
The final result was a 28-unit housing facility, purchased in a partnership between First Union Bank and the Weehawken Housing Authority, that drew rave reviews upon completion four years ago.
Last week, a statewide chapter of a national organization that oversees housing redevelopment rewarded Weehawken for its efforts to develop 2-4 Potter Place.
The New Jersey chapter of NAHRO (National Association of Housing Redevelopment Officials) presented its Award of Merit to the Weehawken Housing Authority for creating innovative affordable housing.
The award was presented to Weehawken Housing Authority chairman Dominic Facchini at the NAHRO convention at the Seaview Marriott Resort in Absecon, in conjunction with the League of Municipalities convention that took place in nearby Atlantic City.
According to Housing Authority executive director Robert DeVincent, Weehawken was recognized for the innovative use of tax credits, along with state and county funds, in supplying affordable housing to the residents of the township.
“Tax credits are public information, and NAHRO knows what all housing authorities are doing in terms of affordable housing,” DeVincent said. “NAHRO was well aware of the major efforts we had to put forth to make 2-4 Potter a possibility. It shows other municipalities that it can be done and acts as a model that should be repeated.”
NAHRO chose to honor the housing authorities of 14 different municipalities, ranging in a variety of areas. Weehawken and West New York were the only two Hudson County towns to receive NAHRO’s Award of Merit.
Weehawken’s award was the lone recognized for tenant services and for creating additional housing. “Any time that you get recognized for doing a good job, then it’s something to be proud of,” Facchini said. “NAHRO is the largest organization of its kind in the nation. It’s a very significant award and honor.”
Added Facchini, “We accomplished a goal that we set out to do. We took a piece of land and turned it into 28 units without a major burden to the taxpayers. We provided quality low-cost housing for our needy residents. We were able to make something happen and we’re going to continue to do so.”
DeVincent said that the award should show other municipalities that low-cost housing could be attained by examining every possible venue.
“It gives other communities something to emulate,” DeVincent said. “Obviously, our approach was an innovative idea that they were very impressed with and chose to honor us. Perhaps the idea will be used by other communities as well.”