Eden Housing's 79‑unit Timber senior project to prioritize extremely low‑income and homelessness placements; application period closes

Eden Housing’s Timber senior housing project, a 79‑unit development for households aged 55 and over adjacent to I‑880 on Timber Street, is moving toward lottery selection after applications closed, city staff told the City Council on Sept. 23. The project includes 40 units for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and 38 units prioritized for extremely and very low‑income seniors who live or work in Newark, according to the presentation by the City Manager’s office.

Why it matters: the city contributed $5.4 million in A1 housing funds and $2.75 million from affordable‑housing impact fees to support the project; the development is intended to expand permanent housing for lower‑income seniors and households experiencing homelessness.

Details and timing: staff said the developer accepted applications in August but that the initial posting omitted the city’s LiveWork Newark preference language; staff extended the window for an additional week and completed outreach. The staff report to council said 30 applicants met the LiveWork Newark preference as of earlier in the week. Staff told the council the developer hopes to conduct a lottery in October and open the building for occupancy in January, with a ribbon‑cutting planned in spring 2026.

Council and staff notes: the council thanked staff for outreach and asked for an opportunity to participate in a future ribbon cutting. City Manager’s staff said they will continue outreach and that the project timeline anticipates occupancy beginning in January 2026, subject to the developer’s schedule and final applicant selection.

Limitations: staff said the application period closed (closing date announced); details about the final applicant pool and exact number of Newark‑resident applicants were described as evolving and subject to the developer’s lottery process.