NEW ACCESSORY APARTMENT PROGRAM AVAILABLE TO

PROPERTY OWNERS IN WEST CAPE MAY BOROUGH



The Borough of West Cape May has announced a new Accessory Apartment Program
as part of the Borough's affordable housing obligation, a mandate of the New
Jersey Council on Affordable Housing (COAH). The Borough's affordable
housing plan creates rental units that will be affordable to very low-, low-
and moderate-income households. Dedicated Affordable Housing Trust Funds
will be used to help implement the program in order to create these rental
units.



Accessory apartments are self-contained residential dwelling units, which
may be located in an existing home, through the conversion of an existing
accessory structure on the same site, an addition to an existing home or
accessory building or through new construction of a new accessory apartment
on site. Only ten (10) Accessory Apartment special permits will be issued
for the entire program.



Applications are currently being accepted from property owners who wish to
participate in the program. The Borough, will provide a lump sum payment up
to $75,000 per unit to subsidize the creation of a very low-income accessory
apartment, a lump sum payment up to $45,000 per unit to subsidize the
creation of a low-income accessory apartment and a lump sum payment of up to
$35,000 per unit to subsidize the creation of a moderate-income accessory
apartment. Property owners will be required to deed restrict the units for
fifteen (15) years so that the household renting the unit will pay an
affordable rent as determined by COAH.



"The Accessory Apartment Program will provide property owners the
opportunity to create rental income on their property where zoning law may
currently prohibit multiple units while at the same time, providing
affordable housing options for residents" stated Mayor Pam Kaithern.



The Borough of West Cape May has hired Triad Associates to contact local
property owners to advise them of the Borough's newly created Accessory
Apartment Program. Property owners will be able to create a tenant criteria
list consistent with the Federal Fair Housing Laws. Triad Associates will
market the units to prospective tenants in the southern New Jersey region.
Prospective tenants will be required to complete a preliminary application.
Subsequently, a lottery will be held to randomly select tenants, who will
have to qualify under the State's Income Eligibility Guidelines.



The specific intent of the program is to allow accessory apartments
borough-wide, with the exception of the Preservation District, in order to
provide the opportunity for the development of affordable housing to meet
the needs of low and moderate income populations. All eligible sites must
have access to sewer and water. The program is a limited, special use
provision which allows more efficient use of the Borough's existing housing
stock and accessory buildings, and allows accessory apartments in new and/or
existing commercial districts, as permitted in the Borough's Commercial
Zoning Regulations.



"The Accessory Apartment Program allows existing residents the opportunity
to remain in their homes by virtue of the added income, in addition to
protecting and preserving property values in the Borough of West Cape May"
according to Mayor Kaithern.

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