Ingerman Affordable Housing and BCM Affordable Housing have joined forces to develop Dalina Manor. Dalina is an affordable senior rental project located at 113 James Street, Hopelawn, NJ which consists of the redevelopment of the Hopelawn VFW site. Construction of the project began in the spring of 2016 and was finished in September of 2017. The plan includes the development of 57 one and two-bedroom LIHTC apartments (49 one and 8 two-bedroom units). In addition to the 57 apartments, within a mid-rise three story structure, the site also features 57 parking spaces either off site or abutting the property, an abundance of storage, a work out facility, a suite for the social service provider as well as a new home for the Hopelawn VFW. The building also contains: the leasing/management office, maintenance shop and a beautifully furnished community room with a warming kitchen for resident events. Financing for the project came from an equity investment made by Citi Community Capital via the syndication of Low Income Housing Tax Credits, the donation of the land from the Woodbridge Affordable Housing Corp., HOME funds from Middlesex County and a mortgage from the NJHMFA.
The development designates 100% of the units for households at least 55 years of age or older. Incomes of the residents are restricted to those who earn no more than 60% of the Middlesex County median.
The site consists of approximately one acre of land that previously contained an obsolete, poorly maintained VFW post that has now been demolished. The new building works with the slope of the site which goes from front to back. By utilizing the site’s slope the architects have designed a building that is three stories in height and is serviced by two elevators. The façade is made up of brick and cementitious siding. The roofing material consists of three dimensional asphalt shingles. The interiors feature wooden base board, mini-blinds, oversized windows, masonite six panel doors, vinyl composite tile in the kitchen and foyer, ceramic tile baths, hardwood floors in the living rooms and wall-to-wall carpeting throughout the remainder, air conditioning and gas fired HVAC systems, washer and dryers and grab bars. Kitchen amenities will include a full appliance package including a dishwasher and a garbage disposal.
A short distance from the site is the Hopelawn shopping district which featuring a large Pathmark, physician’s offices, houses of worship, an abundance of shopping and dining opportunities. Two blocks from the site is the Hopelawn Park. One half mile away is a Walmart and within a short drive is the expansive Woodbridge Mall. Finally the building is one mile from the intersection of the Garden State Parkway and the NJ Turnpike and two miles from the Metropark Train Station.