It is looking to add nine more low-income accessory apartments as part of its COAH obligations.
By: Mae Rhine
WEST AMWELL The township is looking to expand the number of low-income apartments provided as part of its COAH housing obligations.
According to township clerk Lora Olsen, there are three two-bedroom and eight one-bedroom accessory units right now in West Amwell. Seven are rented to low-income households; three all one-bedroom to moderate-income families under COAH guidelines.
The units are attached to private homes or above garages and are deed-restricted for 30 years, which means they can be rented only to low- or moderate-income families for that period of time.
Right now, all but one of the units is rented. There is a one-bedroom unit on Route 518 available for $898 a month, including utilities, except for things such as phone or cable, Ms. Olsen said.
It is available only to low-income families; a one-person household whose income does not exceed $33,530 or a two-person household whose income does not exceed $38,320.
Ms. Olsen said the unit would be ready for occupancy probably around June.
The new unit was the last of the 10 the township was obligated to provide under its second round of COAH obligations dating back to 1996, she added.
The township now is in its third round of COAH obligations and is trying to find people interested in providing nine more apartments in the township. The nine new ones, however, can be rented only to those who meet the low-income guidelines, Ms. Olsen said.
The three existing moderate-income units for one person, $53,648, and for two, $61,312 will remain until the end of the 30-year restriction.
New income and rent guidelines are received once a year, sometime in the spring, Ms. Olsen warned, thus are subject to change.
The owner of the property keeps the rent; the township receives nothing, Ms. Olsen added.
People interested in providing one of the new units must apply to the Planning Board. They can call Ms. Olsen or Planning Board secretary Donna Griffiths at the township building at 397-2054 or e-mail Ms. Griffiths at planningboardatwestamwelltwp.org.
Those interested in renting the one unit available now can get an application at the Municipal Building at 150 Rocktown-Lambertville Road or call Ms. Olsen weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Completed rental applications are due by April 30.

