A new affordable housing option for seniors is coming to a prominent Hoboken intersection after over five years of planning.
Hoboken Mayor Emily Jabbour and other local dignitaries recently held a groundbreaking for The Willow, a six-story, 100 percent affordable housing development for seniors. The project is the first of its kind in decades, as much of the city’s affordable housing stock dates to the 1970s or earlier.
Jersey Digs broke the news about the development way back in 2020, and the plan was eventually approved in 2024. The complex will rise on what was a city-owned parking lot at 1033 Willow Avenue, at the intersection of Willow Avenue and 11th Street.
The Willow, a Heritage Village Community, will include 36 deed-restricted affordable units for seniors, comprising three studios, 28 one-bedroom, and five two-bedroom apartments. The development is designed to help older residents find affordable homes in Hoboken amid rising regional housing costs and limited affordable housing options.
Planned amenities at the complex include a ground-floor community activity room and a fifth-floor library. The Willow will incorporate high-efficiency and sustainable design features, including Energy Star-certified apartments and Zero Energy Ready Home design standards.
“Making sure our seniors can continue to live in Hoboken has been a priority, and The Willow shows what is possible when people come together around that goal,” said Mayor Jabbour. “This has been years in the making and has been driven by partners and community members who care deeply about this city.”
The building will serve households aged 55 and up who earn 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI) or less, with at least half of the units reserved for households earning 50 percent of AMI or less.
The project is partially funded by $500,000 from the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund and includes financing from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA), which is providing construction and permanent financing. Additional funding sources include the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and the Hudson County HOME Investment Partnership Program.
The development team includes RAMAS Contractors, LLC, KNTM Architects, Matrix New World Engineering, Dilworth Paxson LLP, MaGrann Associates, Kenny Environmental Services, and others. The complex is expected to be completed in Fall 2027.
