Construction Should Start In May On Leonardville Rd. Veterans' Housing

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Some residents have been asking when Middletown will move forward with its promise of building affordable housing for veterans on Leonardville Road.

At the most recent Township Committee meeting, held Monday night, Mayor Tony Perry said the project is moving forward.

At Monday night's meeting, the Township Committee hired a contractor to do soil excavation and site restoration, which is expected to take two to three months.

The Township Committee also introduced a $9.2 million bond ordinance for construction. The bond ordinance is expected to be passed at the April 22 Township Committee meeting, and the construction bid is expected to be awarded at the May 6 meeting.

Construction is expected to begin at the end of May.

Last year, Perry secured $1 million in funding from the state to help build the apartments.

In 2021, Middletown Twp. purchased the former tool rental property at 37-45 Leonardville Road, and announced it will turn the site into rental affordable housing for U.S. veterans. The plan is to build 12 rental apartment units, all at affordable prices, for any man or woman who served in the U.S. armed forces. Rental amounts or how people will be selected to move in there have not been unveiled yet.

“After a few delays and efforts to find additional funding, the Township Committee and I are thrilled that this important project benefiting those who have served our great nation is finally coming to fruition,” said Perry this week.

Middletown Township will partner with the Middletown Housing Authority on this project, which currently manages hundreds of affordable housing units in town.

First report: Middletown Buys Lots For Veterans' Apts., Port Monmouth Flood Control (2022)