Newark Housing Authority Turns Vacant Site into Housing for families affected by COVID-19

Newark, N.J. – The first group of tenants have begun to move into Woodlawn Village, a recently rehabbed public housing development. The Housing Authority renovated these vacant townhomes in an effort to house residents that were affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Woodlawn Village was recently depopulated in the fall of 2019 due to significant capital needs. When the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) extended funding through the Coronavirus Relief Fund Act (CARES) to assist during the pandemic, the agency recognized this property as an ideal location to renovate. In partnership with the Laborer’s International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 55, work commenced as the pandemic began to spread.

“The Housing Authority is renovating this complex at a fast pace to benefit Newark residents who have been financially or physically affected by the pandemic,” said Executive Director Victor Cirilo. “Ultimately, we plan to completely renovate the entire complex and house residents as units become available.”

To comply with social distancing guidelines, only two workers are allowed to work in a unit at a time to conform to social distancing. On average, 20 workers are on site working throughout all the units. As the pandemic put a halt to construction projects, Woodlawn Village restored hope to union workers as an opportunity to continue earning wages and for more work experience.

“There’s a sense of pride in the work the union is doing at the complex,” said Hector Fuentes, Local 55 Business Manager. “Each worker is from Newark and is pleased to see the change in direction the Housing Authority is going, in a sense it motivates them to continue to work for the common good.”

Under the Federal CARES Act, the Housing Authority was extended funding to address operational issues that have been affected by the pandemic. The agency immediately amended its waiting list preferences to extend a COVID-19 preference. The result was local residents on the list with the preference would move to the top and be extended priority.

The Housing Authority’s Occupancy Department has certified six families for housing with eight additional units expected to be ready next month. The agency earmarked an initial 19 units out of 47, which are comprised of three, four, and five bedroom townhomes.

“The Newark Housing Authority continues to provide great assistance to the City of Newark and especially during this pandemic,” said South Ward Councilman John James. “The renovations at Woodlawn Village in particular provide a great opportunity to put affected families into newly renovated homes, while providing work for local residents.”

At the peak of the pandemic, the City of Newark filled two hotels with families who were homeless. As the process of depopulating the hotels continues, the Housing Authority has also extended over 150 Housing Choice Vouchers to local families to this initiative.