With or Without Council Vote, HHA to Apply for Federal Funding for Vision 20/20

The Hoboken Housing Authority is preparing to apply for federal funds to build the first building

While the HHA needs a resolution of need passed by the city council to be seriousy considered to receive the funding as well as the tax credit, the application will be turned in with or without that vote, said Dr. Robert Powell, a financial advisor to the HHA, late last week.

The HHA is also asking the city to approve a PILOT program — short for "payments in lieu of taxes" — to start the first phase.

The payments from the developer would bring roughly $30,000 into the city's coffers, Powell said.

The first building is supposed to be built on the parking lot next to Housing building at 221 Jackson St.

Mayor Dawn Zimmer and her allies on the council have opposed the Pilot program as well as supporting the first phase of the development, because they said they haven't been sufficiently informed on the project.

"The mayor is entitled to know what we're doing," said Powell, "we have submitted a lot of written materials."

HHA Director Carmelo Garcia and Zimmer have communicated about the matter in letters, both attached to this story.

Since the last council meeting — during which a vote relating to the Vision 20/20 project failed — Councilman David Mello, who also serves on the HHA Board, the developer, Garcia and Powell have met about the project, Powell said.