The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) has approved a substantial Aspire Program award to advance a 100% affordable senior housing project in Trenton, known as THA Senior.
Backed in part by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Choice Neighborhood Implementation Plan, the multi-faceted project will deliver 107 affordable rental units alongside community-focused resources and commercial spaces.
“This development will provide older residents with stable, affordable housing, while empowering local families and businesses, delivering long-lasting benefits for years to come,” NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Evan Weiss said.
Project highlights and amenities
- Location: Situated on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in Trenton, less than a mile from the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center.
- Housing Capacity: Features a four-story mixed-use building housing 107 affordable one-bedroom apartments reserved for seniors aged 62 and older, plus a two-bedroom superintendent’s unit.
- On-Site Amenities: Includes a fitness room, community room, outdoor patio, walking paths, parking, and playground equipment.
- Commercial & Community Space: Incorporates roughly 10,000 square feet of commercial space dedicated to community-based organizations, including 7,400 square feet allocated specifically for a daycare facility.
- Supportive Services: Offers targeted programming for residents and the broader neighborhood, covering early learning, workforce development, senior services, education, and financial empowerment.
Funding and broad leadership support
THA Senior secured approval for an award of up to 85% of total project costs, capped at $54.3 million, supplemented by a $900,000 federal grant through the Choice Neighborhoods program and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits via the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.
Local and state leaders lauded the initiative as a transformative step for the capital city’s North Ward:
- Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora emphasized that rebuilding neighborhoods requires holistic support beyond just brick-and-mortar housing, praising the partnership’s focus on early childhood education and community resources.
- Mercer County Executive Dan Benson highlighted the project’s multi-layered benefits, creating housing stability for older adults while fostering regional growth.
- Senator Shirley Turner and Assemblymembers Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and Anthony Verrelli jointly underscored that the development addresses critical senior housing needs while delivering vital childcare, educational, and economic advantages to the entire Trenton community.
