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Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Approving Utilizing Funds from the Affordability Assistance Trust Fund for Emergency HVAC Repairs
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WHEREAS, pursuant to the Fair Housing Act (P.L. 1985, c. 222), municipalities in the State of New Jersey are required to provide their fair share of housing that is affordable to very-low-, low-, and moderate-income households in accordance with the provisions of the act; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:99-2.1 of the New Jersey Uniform Housing Affordability Controls (“UHAC”) municipalities in compliance with the Fair Housing Act are required to maintain a municipal affordable housing trust fund; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:99-2.3 of UHAC, a municipality may utilize affordable housing trust funds for any housing activity itemized in its spending plan and approved by a Court of competent jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, Princeton has an established municipal affordable housing trust fund, in accordance with UHAC; and
WHEREAS, on November 19, 2020, the Superior Court of New Jersey approved Princeton’s Spending Plan as part of its cumulative third round Mount Laurel affordable housing obligations, granting Princeton a Judgment of Compliance and Repose on December 10, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Court-Approved Spending Plan includes the utilization of funds from the affordable housing trust fund for purposes of the rehabilitation of affordable housing units; and
WHEREAS, the Griggs Farm Community (“Griggs Farm”) is an inclusionary community within Princeton, which was approved as part of the former Township of Princeton’s Prior Round affordable housing obligation by the Council on Affordable Housing; and
WHEREAS, Griggs Farm provides one hundred and forty (140) affordable homes within the municipality, including seventy (70) affordable rental homes; and
WHEREAS, Princeton Community Housing (“PCH”) is the developer and provider for Griggs Farm; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) requires local jurisdictions receiving Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) funds to prepare and submit an Annual Action Plan each program year; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. R-25-272, the Municipality of Princeton approved and adopted its 2025 Annual Action Plan, which included an allocation of $137,614 to PCH to replace up to twelve (12) heat pumps in affordable rental units; and
WHEREAS, the affordable rental apartments at Griggs Farm requiring the replacement of HVAC units at this time are apartments number 5, 16, 126, 128, 132, 148, 152, 153, 261, 262, 264, and 267; and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned affordable rental apartments serve as housing for very-low-income households within the municipality; and
WHEREAS, Princeton has determined that the current HVAC systems are at or nearing the end of their useful lives, are increasingly unreliable, and are not energy efficient, and therefore require replacement for the rehabilitation of the affordable rental apartments; and
WHEREAS, Princeton has received CDBG funds in the amount of $137,614 for such replacements and repairs by PCH, which have been deposited into Princeton’s Affordability Assistance Trust Fund; and
WHEREAS, Princeton wishes to commit funds from the Affordability Assistance Trust Fund Account in accordance with its 2025 Annual Action Plan to address the necessary repairs to replace eight (8) aging HVAC outdoor rooftop units and four (4) aging HVAC outdoor ground units and related indoor equipment for heating and cooling in selected Griggs Farm affordable rental apartments to benefit twelve (12) very low-income households;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Municipality of Princeton, County of Mercer, State of New Jersey, as follows:
1. Princeton hereby authorizes, appropriates, and commits funds from the Princeton Affordability Assistance Trust Fund Account up to the sum of one hundred thirty-seven thousand, six hundred and fourteen ($137,614.00) dollars for the removal and replacement of HVAC units and related equipment for heating and cooling in selected Griggs Farm affordable rental apartments.
2. The Princeton Chief Financial Officer is hereby authorized and directed to release funds from the Princeton Affordability Assistance Trust Fund Account, payable to “Princeton Community Housing, Inc.” for the removal and replacement of twelve (12) HVAC units and related equipment for heating and cooling in selected Griggs Farm affordable rental apartments, under the following schedule:
a. Seventy-nine thousand, three hundred and seventy-seven dollars and sixty cents ($79,377.60) immediately herewith.
b. The remaining balance due for each individual affordable rental apartment upon the submission of documentation of proof of completion and balance due by PCH to the Princeton Director of Human Services, subject to the review and approval of the Princeton Director of Human Services.
3. A certified true copy of this Resolution shall be furnished to Princeton's Chief Financial Officer upon its adoption.
4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately.