A parcel of land in Brick Township that will be dedicated to veterans’ housing. (Photo: Shorebeat)
Brick Township officials voted unanimously Tuesday night to adopt an ordinance allowing the township to essentially donate a parcel of land it acquired for minimal cost to an organization that will build affordable housing units with veterans’ preference.
The council, once the organization receives funding and land use approvals, will convey the property at 1701 Route 88, just west of The Home Depot on the opposite side of the road, to Homes Now Inc., which has provided income-based housing locally for senior citizens, victims of domestic violence and the disabled population in the past. The agreement would see the township “sell” the land to Homes Now for a token price for $1 in exchange for a 50-year agreement to restrict the units to residents who qualify for affordable housing on the state’s income scale, with a preference for military veterans.
Housing laws do not allow a deed to formally restrict a property for veterans, township attorney Scott W. Kenneally, however the agency managing the property can, and plans to, add a veterans’ preference as a matter of policy.
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“This is an ordinance that is so woefully needed in our town,” said Councilwoman Marianna Pontoriero. “We’re under obligation to provide a certain number of affordable housing [units]. By giving this piece of property and earmarking it with veterans’ preference, it gives us the only ability we have to make sure the men and women who’ve served get to stay in Brick, where they live.”
If, at any point during the 50-year agreement, Homes Now Inc. either ceases to exist or exits the business of managing affordable housing properties, the township would have a right of first refusal to re-acquire the property. Likewise, if Homes Now does not wish to continue the agreement after 50-years, the township could purchase it back. Kenneally said in the unlikely case that this were to occur, the value of the property would reflect the affordable housing deed restrictions, making it worth much less than market value.
A parcel of land in Brick Township that will be dedicated to veterans’ housing. (Photo: Shorebeat)
Since the property is located in a business zone, Homes Now, which has been the agency that has managed Brick’s affordable housing obligations under the Mt. Laurel doctrine for years, will have to apply as any other developer would for approval before the zoning board to develop residential units. Only after those approvals are received would the land the transferred and the 50-year agreement would begin. Officials have previously said the eight units will consist of one and two-bedroom apartments.
Brick, Kenneally said, acquired the half-acre parcel of land through a tax foreclosure and has no other public use for it. Pontoriero, speaking in favor of the project, said it is also symbolic of the township’s commitment to its military veterans.
“Our veterans who’ve gone away to serve and come back will know their community is looking out for them,” she said.
