Township, Project Freedom Partner on Another Facility

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: John Nalbone
Robbinsville Township
Office of Communications & Public Information
jnalbone@robbinsville.net
(609) 259-3600 Ext. 129

Robbinsville Township, Project Freedom
Partner for Second Facility

Non-Profit’s First Building in Township Opened in 1991

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ – (February 1, 2018) – Robbinsville Mayor Dave Fried is proud to announce Robbinsville Township will donate approximately 10 acres near the northeast corner in Town Center South along Route 33 to Project Freedom.

Township Council passed Resolution 2018-1 C on January 11 approving the developer’s agreement with Project Freedom, a non-profit which develops and operates barrier-free housing throughout New Jersey to enable individuals with disabilities to live independently. Project Freedom plans to build a 72-unit facility, 18 percent of which will be restricted to supportive housing for the developmentally disabled. The parcel of land in TCS, also known as Block 1, Lots 32 and 65, is located across Route 33 and to the left of North Commerce Square.


According to a supplemental letter of exclusion from Maser Engineering, which conducted a comprehensive traffic study of the Township in the fall of 2017, the Project Freedom development will minimally impact traffic along Route 33. The Project Freedom application is expected to go before the Planning Board in the spring.

"Project Freedom is delighted and thankful to have another opportunity to provide barrier free housing for people with disabilities in Robbinsville,” Project Freedom Executive Director Tim Doherty said. “Town Center South will provide a great place to live, with all amenities close at hand.  Robbinsville and Mayor Fried have been true friends of Project Freedom for many years, and it is great for us to continue that relationship."

The first Project Freedom residence opened in 1991 and is located on Hutchinson Road. It consists of 35 units. The 72 future units in TCS are considered affordable housing and will enable the Township to reach the 638 credits needed to satisfy its affordable housing obligations with both the New Jersey Superior Court and the Fair Share Housing Center (FSHC) through 2025.

“We are very appreciative of Fair Share Housing Center for working so closely with us to reach a fair and comprehensive affordable housing settlement agreement to bring to Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson,” Fried said. “The Project Freedom development allows us to meet our lawful affordable housing requirements now and well into the future. Both FSHC and the Court have recognized our efforts as one of the leaders in affordable housing in New Jersey, and we are extremely proud of that distinction. Robbinsville is home to the very first Project Freedom and we could not be more pleased to continue supporting services such as recreation, training and the advocacy Project Freedom provides.”

Fair Share Housing Center Associate Director Adam Gordon backed the continued partnership between the Township and Project Freedom.

"We commend Project Freedom and Robbinsville Township for working together to support this outstanding development," Mr. Gordon said. "Project Freedom has a strong track record of building homes affordable to people with special needs and working families. We are glad to see them expanding on that work in Robbinsville Town Center, an excellent location that will allow families and people with special needs to live close to stores and jobs."

On November 11, Mayor Fried received the Julia “June” Ronan Angel Award from Project Freedom in recognition of the Township’s “Pay it Forward” initiative.

 -RT-