The Alexander Hamilton public housing project in Paterson, comprising five high-rise buildings and nine low-rise ones, was everything one might imagine a troubled 1950s-era public-housing site to be: much higher density than its surrounding neighborhood, many of its streets closed off as a crime-deterrence measure; and still crime-ridden and dangerous to the point that the surrounding working-class neighborhood saw its property values drop and many basic services became unavailable. Today, Heritage at Alexander Hamilton is something very different.

The demolition and redevelopment of all but one small phase of the site was made possible through one of the last HOPE VI grants the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded. It funded the complete demolition of all buildings on the site; the relocation of former residents, many of whom expressed a strong interest in returning to a newly-revitalized safe, affordable neighborhood; and construction of a total of 410 new residential units. Of those units, 25 would be for-sale units; 80 would be affordable rentals financed through tax credits; and 20 would be supportive housing for those with special needs. Public-housing units would be interspersed throughout. All of the for-sale units and 116 of the rental units will have at least three bedrooms, allowing the neighborhood to accommodate not just singles and couples, but families with children.

The right design was one of the keys to a successful redevelopment. Of paramount importance was removing the unsafe elements of the older development, so streets were engineered to make rapid drive-throughs difficult, enhancing pedestrian safety. Each residence has its own entrance from the outside, creating a more vibrant streetscape and more “eyes on the street.” Those who are financially invested as homeowners are expected to lend a stabilizing influence to the neighborhood, and a new community space provides much-needed recreation, education and social services not previously available.

The Alexander Hamilton public housing project in Paterson, comprising five high-rise buildings and nine low-rise ones, was everything one might imagine a troubled 1950s-era public-housing site to be: much higher density than its surrounding neighborhood, many of its streets closed off as a crime-deterrence measure; and still crime-ridden and dangerous to the point that the surrounding working-class neighborhood saw its property values drop and many basic services became unavailable. Today, Heritage at Alexander Hamilton is something very different.

The demolition and redevelopment of all but one small phase of the site was made possible through one of the last HOPE VI grants the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded. It funded the complete demolition of all buildings on the site; the relocation of former residents, many of whom expressed a strong interest in returning to a newly-revitalized safe, affordable neighborhood; and construction of a total of 410 new residential units. Of those units, 25 would be for-sale units; 80 would be affordable rentals financed through tax credits; and 20 would be supportive housing for those with special needs. Public-housing units would be interspersed throughout. All of the for-sale units and 116 of the rental units will have at least three bedrooms, allowing the neighborhood to accommodate not just singles and couples, but families with children.

The right design was one of the keys to a successful redevelopment. Of paramount importance was removing the unsafe elements of the older development, so streets were engineered to make rapid drive-throughs difficult, enhancing pedestrian safety. Each residence has its own entrance from the outside, creating a more vibrant streetscape and more “eyes on the street.” Those who are financially invested as homeowners are expected to lend a stabilizing influence to the neighborhood, and a new community space provides much-needed recreation, education and social services not previously available.