A new 66-unit affordable housing community has begun construction in New Brunswick. Pennrose and the New Brunswick Housing and Redevelopment Authority (NBHA) celebrated the groundbreaking of Hildebrand Commons. The 55+ residential development will transform the site where Hoffman Pavilion public housing once stood. The project is expected to be completed in Fall 2026.
On hand for the groundbreaking ceremony were New Brunswick Mayor James M. Cahill, Zachary Wright, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, NBHA, Terry Tucker, Chief of Staff, New Jersey Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA), Daniel E. Jennings from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), Michael Siroka, Vice President, Hudson Housing Capital, Noah Freiberg, Senior Developer, Pennrose and Timothy I. Henkel, CEO & Partner, Pennrose.
“Hildebrand Commons represents more than just bricks and mortar, it reflects our continued commitment to ensuring that New Brunswick remains a welcoming and supportive home for our senior residents,” noted Mayor Cahill. “We’re proud to partner with Pennrose and NBHA to deliver high-quality, affordable housing that will provide stability, dignity, and opportunity for generations to come.”
The new community will rise six stories and include both one- and two-bedroom units. All residences will be affordable housing with rents at 20% to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), currently $21,480 to $64,440 for a single-person household. Some units will replace public housing with Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) vouchers at 110% Fair Market Rents. Other residences will be Regional Contribution Agreements (RCA) units. Five units will be used to house formerly homeless individuals.
The 0.48-acre lot at 75 Neilson Street was the site of the 70-unit Hoffman Pavilion public housing community, which was torn down in 2012. Hildebrand Commons is named after Reverend Henry A. Hildebrand, who was pastor at Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Brunswick for more than three decades. Hildebrand worked tirelessly for the community and was an advocate for local seniors.
The apartments will be designed to optimize energy efficiency and feature fully-equipped kitchens, generous floor plans, and large closets. Residents will enjoy on-site parking, support services, fitness center, outdoor spaces and a community room.
“We are one step closer to residents settling into their new homes at Hildebrand Commons,” added Marsha Blunt, president at Pennrose Management Company. “With thoughtfully designed apartments and integrated supportive services, we’re creating a place where seniors can truly thrive.”
The project was developed with the support of New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) construction-to-permanent financing, 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity, New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) state tax credit equity, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Healthy Homes funding, and City of New Brunswick RCA and HOME funds.
