New Brunswick Advances Housing Mission with Opening of 293 Townsend Street

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ (April 27, 2026) - Mayor Jim Cahill stood alongside state, county, and private partners on April 23 to cut the ribbon on 293 Townsend Street, a transformative housing project in New Brunswick.

The building features six one-bedroom units specifically designed for those experiencing long-term homelessness. This project represents the latest milestone in the City's ongoing effort to help the community's most vulnerable residents transition from the streets into stable, permanent housing. By providing access to onsite social services, the initiative helps residents maintain both their independence and their health.

This achievement marks the completion of a journey that began in late 2020. At the time of acquisition, the site held a decaying apartment building that required demolition. Construction on the new structure began in March 2025 and took approximately one year to complete.

Built with a focus on high-level energy efficiency, the building operates on only 30% to 35% of the energy used by typical structures. These lower operating costs allow the project to offer rents well below market rate for tenants who typically earn between 20% and 30% of the area's median income.

The project is a partnership between Coming Home and Bergen County United Way/Madeline Partners. It features six one-bedroom units designed to provide stable, long-term housing for the homeless population in Middlesex County.

This $3.1 million investment was made possible with $2.1 million from the NJ Department of Community Affairs Affordable Housing Trust Fund, $600,000 from the County's Housing First Capital Fund, $345,000 from NBT's Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit, and $121,342 from HUD through the Middlesex County Continuum of Care.