Affordable Housing Lottery Deadline Approaches

Summit’s current nine-unit affordable housing stock will get snapped up next month.  A Nov. 7 lottery will determine who gets the units, which are priced from $816 to $1,213 per month. 

Lou Riccio, the executive director of the Summit Affordable Housing Corporation (SAHC) and Summit Housing Authority, says he expects over 200 applications to be filed for the apartments. The available one and two-bedroom units are located at 13 North Street, 708-710 Springfield Avenue (a multi-family unit currently under construction) and a two-bedroom apartment at the Summit Place development.

 “Even after these nine units come online,” Riccio said, “the waiting list for affordable housing in Summit is probably 7 to 10 years long. The cost of housing is so astronomical in N.J." 

This latest offering is part of an agreement with Hilltop Parmley Partners, the firm building the Summit Place development, which is said to average about $1 million and up per unit. The last offering of affordable units in the area came online as a result of agreements surrounding the Promenade luxury complex on Morris Avenue.

Those interested in applying for the lottery still have plenty of time. Riccio says there are only about 60 applications submitted so far. The asset limit for applicants is $171,541 according to the affordable housing ad, which is available for download. Applications are due Oct. 31

According to Riccio, Summit is among one of the leaders in New Jersey when it comes to affordable housing. He pointed out that the council that oversaw affordable housing statewide was reorganized by Gov. Chris Christie over the summer. But, there are still ordinances in place to keep affordable housing available, said Riccio.
“There's still a true need for affordable housing. Not only in Summit, but in all the ,” said Riccio. 

Applications may be picked up at the Summit Housing Authority office, or the Summit Library. Applicants can request the form be mailed to them by calling (908) 273-6413.