Lambertville approves MOU to pursue six affordable houses on Hulcom Farm with Habitat for Humanity

The Lambertville City Council voted to authorize an application to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and to sign a memorandum of understanding with Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity to pursue construction of six semi‑detached affordable houses on part of the city‑owned Hulcom Farm property.

Mayor [title used as provided in the transcript] introduced Resolution 94‑2025 as the first step in a multi‑year funding and planning process. Council members described the memorandum as the beginning of a partnership that would move the city toward producing six affordable units and said the project could allow the city to amend a settlement agreement to transfer the police station site into the housing plan.

“We are taking a step — building some affordable units — and making use of some property that we have now,” one council member said, urging support for the agreement. Another member called the resolution “a great step” to address what the council described as an ongoing affordable‑housing gap.

City officials cautioned that the funding structure will be complicated and that successful development will likely require multiple funding sources and several years of planning and approvals. The resolution authorizes the mayor and city clerk to execute a memorandum of understanding with Habitat for Humanity and proceed with application steps for DCA funding and related programs.

What happens next: With the MOU authorized, the city and Habitat for Humanity will refine the plan, seek DCA funding and other sources, and follow statutory requirements for grant applications and any court processes tied to affordable‑housing obligations. Council members said the project will proceed through multiple future public hearings and design and permitting stages.