By Joanne Degnan, Staff Writer
ROBBINSVILLE A Hamilton-based nonprofit, Allies Inc., has signed a contract to purchase Mercer Mobile Homes park, effectively ending a protracted legal battle between the residents and landlord over rent control and sewer repairs.
Allies Inc. will pay the mobile home park’s owner, Larry Kaufman, $5.5 million, with $2.1 million of that amount coming from Robbinsville’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, according to an announcement Monday from Mayor Dave Fried. The trust fund includes fees paid by developers to facilitate affordable housing in the township, as required by the state’s Fair Housing Act.
By qualifying the 140 units in the mobile home park as affordable housing controlled by a nonprofit agency, it also could open the door to state and federal funding sources for improvements to sewer and roads, the mayor said.
The purchase, which is expected to close within 90 days, will provide long-term rent stability to the residents, many of whom are senior citizens, the mayor said. Mr. Kauffman, the current owner, has challenged the township’s rent-control ordinance in court and also has filed a legal challenge to a Zoning Board of Adjustment requirement that he inspect the park’s sewer lines.
Both legal issues, which have been pending before Mercer County Superior Court Judge Linda Feinberg, will be rendered moot by the sale of the property to Allies, according to the township. Mr. Kauffman did not return a phone message before press time on Tuesday.
Elise Tretola, the vice president and chief operating officer of Allies, said the purchase of Mercer Mobile Homes would enable her nonprofit agency to further its mission of helping people improve the quality of their lives.
”We look forward to working with the residents of Mercer Mobile Homes to improve conditions at the park,” said Ms. Tretola said in a statement released by the township. “We are also excited about becoming a bigger part of the Robbinsville community.”
Attempts to reach Ms. Tretola directly at Allies’ offices on Tuesday were unsuccessful. According to Allies’ website, the nonprofit provides housing, health care, job and recreational opportunities for people with special needs.

