WOODBRIDGE — Dalina Manor, a 57-unit affordable senior housing residential community in the Hopelawn section of the township, is now open.
Mayor John E. McCormac, Ingerman and the Woodbridge Affordable Housing Corporation announced the grand opening of Dalina Manor on Sept. 28.
Dalina Manor is a 57-unit, three-story property featuring 48 one-bedrooms and nine two-bedrooms fully compatible for senior residents age 55 and over. The site offers a two-story lobby, community lounge with kitchen and outdoor patio, storage units on the ground floor at no additional charge to residents and a fitness center. There is off-street parking and on-site management and supportive services. All common areas are fully handicapped accessible.
In partnership with the Hopelawn Veterans of Foreign Wars [VFW] Post 1352, whose building was on the site, Dalina Manor will also be home to the new VFW offices.
“The Dalina Manor grand opening and ribbon-cutting completes the transformation of the Hopelawn VFW building into a vibrant new community for our senior residents,” McCormac said. “It is important to note that the Hopelawn VFW will have a new home right here at Dalina Manor so named in honor of [Former Middlesex County Freeholder Director and Woodbridge Councilman] Stephen J. “Pete” Dalina who dedicated his life to the people of Middlesex County and Woodbridge Township.”
McCormac said Dalina Manor not only serves to increase neighboring residential property value, but also represents another milestone toward achieving the township’s goal of ensuring that all of the senior residents have access to quality, affordable residential options.
“As we celebrate the opening of Dalina Manor, it is important to note that no taxpayer or municipal dollars were invested, as the entire project was funded through government grants, programs and private investment between the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, BCM Affordable Housing, Ingerman, the Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency and the Woodbridge Affordable Housing Corporation,” McCormac said.
Bruce Morgan, president of BCM Affordable Housing said through the McCormac’s vision, they seized the opportunity to take the aging Hopelawn VFW building and transform it into a beautiful, active, vibrant community for the senior residents of Hopelawn.
“We are proud to have created a high-quality residential development that will not only meet the demand for affordable senior housing, but will also contribute to the township’s exceptional quality of life,” he said.
Financing for the $11.7 million Dalina Manor project was provided through a combination of equity from the syndication of Low Income Housing Tax Credits that were awarded from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency and syndicated through The Richman Group, a first mortgage from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Financing Agency, a construction loan from Citibank, and Middlesex County HOME funds.
Joining McCormac and Morgan to celebrate the official grand opening and ribbon cutting of Dalina Manor were Anthony Marchetta, executive director, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ron Rios, Caroline Ehrlich, township chief of staff and executive director of the Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency, Marta Lefsky, director of the Woodbridge Department of Planning and Development, William Wisk, commander of the Hopelawn VFW Post 1352 and Woodbridge Municipal Council President Councilman Rick Dalina and family.
The apartments feature open floor plan layouts with fully-equipped kitchens, hardwood flooring, mini-blinds, oversized windows, ceramic tile baths, video intercoms, full sized washers and dryers, and Energy Star appliances. Five percent of the rentals are fully handicap accessible and all units are adaptable to accommodate the needs of the residents. In addition, Dalina Manor has five rentals designated for families and individuals who are homeless.
In 2015, after months of negotiations, the township purchased the former Hopelawn VFW property through funds from the Woodbridge Affordable Housing Corp., which obtains funding from developers’ fees, assessments and contributions.
Township officials have said the Dalina Manor property has a 30-year deed restriction for use as senior housing.
