LBHA receives funds for Seaview Manor

BY CHRISTINEVARNO
Staff Writer

LBHA receives funds
for Seaview Manor
BY CHRISTINEVARNO
Staff Writer

LONG BRANCH — The Long Branch Housing Authority (LBHA) has not constructed a new affordable housing unit in more than 30 years, but that is about to change.

The LBHA has created a master redevelopment plan that will construct 168 units of affordable housing in the area of the city’s housing authority. Money has just been awarded to partially fund the first phase of this plan.

The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the New Jersey Housing Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) awarded $781,809 in tax credits and $1.1 million in Home Express funds to benefit the city’s project known as Seaview Manor, according to E.J. Miranda, spokesperson for the state Department of Community Affairs.

A total of $4,249,356 in federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and Balanced Housing/Home Express has been awarded to support the construction and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing units in Monmouth County.

"These investments represent jobs and housing opportunities that will make a difference in the lives of thousands of people and an investment in the future vitality of many of our municipalities," DCA Commissioner Susan Bass Levin said. "We are committed to providing quality affordable housing for families and seniors as the foundation to improve our communities."

Tax credits are awarded to developers who are planning to build new rental apartments or rehabilitate existing units for low-income households. States are allocated low-income housing tax credits by the federal government on an annual per-capita basis.

Tyrone Garrett, the executive director of the LBHA, said the authority applied for the award in April to assist in funding the replacement of Seaview Manor, Phase I, on the corner of Ellis and Seaview avenues.

The building was originally constructed in 1952 and contained 46 units of housing. Garrett said the building, which is located near an old coal gasification plant, was ordered demolished and a complete cleanup of the area was ordered by the state.

He said some contaminants from the gas plant were found underneath the structure, but not a life-threatening amount, and the gas company has been helpful in cleaning and clearing the site.

Construction of a new 40-unit housing complex is scheduled to begin within the next 12 months, according to Garrett, who said they are waiting for the cleanup and clearing process to be completed. The project is estimated to cost between $5 million and $7.5 million.

Garrett said the LBHA is currently looking for sources to provide the additional funds needed to finance the completion of the project.

"I am enthusiastic," Garret said. "This is a great opportunity for the housing authority to assist the city in providing affordable housing."