University and Partners Break Ground on Paterson Housing Project

Community and philanthropic partners joined elected officials and Montclair State University on June 4 for a special groundbreaking ceremony for a new home to begin addressing housing inequities in Paterson, New Jersey.

The project is the first initiative in Phase 2 of One Square Mile (OSM), the hyperlocal, place-based initiative supported by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation designed to revitalize a designated area of Paterson that began in February 2023. Phase 2 will focus on creating housing solutions for Paterson residents in the first, fourth and fifth wards of the city over the next five years.

Through the partnership, Passaic County Habitat for Humanity will construct its 300th new home in the city of Paterson, a 3-bedroom, 2 bathroom home, which will be located at 45 Auburn Street. Other partners on the project include ADP and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.

“Universities, when utilized properly, can help bring about lasting change that benefits all people,” says Montclair President Jonathan Koppell. “Our work with the City of Paterson through the One Square Mile initiative and beyond has been driven by our community partners and has already yielded positive results. Our collaboration with Passaic County Habitat for Humanity will only build on our ongoing efforts and respond directly to the demonstrated need for affordable housing within Paterson.”

Creating Opportunities to Serve

The project will further Montclair’s commitment to creating hands-on learning and service opportunities as part of the One Square Mile initiative.

Students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to participate in the construction during a series of building days in July, August, September, October and November 火狐体育, and January and February 2026, directly impacting the community by helping create a new home for a qualified family.

Housing Statistics in Paterson, NJ

Within One Square Mile’s designated area:

• The population has increased by 11% in the last 10 years – more than four times the rate of the rest of Passaic County (2.4%) and nearly twice the rate of the city of Paterson (7.4%)
• Residents have the highest rate (5%) of people living in overcrowded housing
• 58% of OSM residents are “rent-burdened,” which means they are paying more than 30% of their monthly income towards housing costs
• 92% of OSM residents are renters, leaving only 8% as homeowners

“Housing has become a national crisis, and in Paterson’s One Square Mile, this crisis is most acute,” says Passaic County Habitat for Humanity CEO Scott Millard. “The house we will begin construction on today represents a step towards addressing that crisis, and this step would not be possible without all the partners who have come together to make this step possible.”

One Square Mile Phase Two Goals

The project is the first designed to address the initiative’s five housing goals outlined at a special event in November 2024 that will be pursued over the next five years.

• Expand Housing Affordability: The Community Advisory Committee will look to expand affordable housing opportunities and advocate to create policies to expand opportunities.
• Increase Supply and Stability: Working with the City of Paterson, the Committee will seek to turn abandoned buildings and underutilized space into affordable housing, as well as create an eviction protection program to increase stability.
• Improve Housing Quality: The Committee will work to increase energy efficiency for residents and create safe housing in the One Square Mile area.
• Create Housing and Safe Neighborhoods: Wraparound services will be expanded for residents to help ensure safe neighborhoods, and community leader programming will be developed to foster the next generation of community leaders to ensure the area’s continued growth.
• Build Assets and Wealth: The Committee will create programming to educate residents on the benefits of homeownership as opposed to renting, and how it can create generational wealth for the city.

“Montclair’s collaboration with Passaic County Habitat for Humanity on the build project stems from the discovery phase of the One Square Mile initiative, where local residents identified housing as the top priority for our collective impact project,” says Montclair Associate Vice President for Community Partnerships Bryan Murdock. “This project serves as both a symbolic and concrete expression of the University’s commitment, alongside its community and philanthropic partners, to addressing the urgent housing crisis affecting residents within the OSM.”

Montclair State University and the City of Paterson

The second phase of One Square Mile is the latest achievement in the expanding relationship between Montclair State University and the City of Paterson.

The University opened The Charles J. Muth Museum of Hinchliffe Stadium in April of 2024, which engages audiences in the history of the Negro Leagues and its famous players while creating learning opportunities for both Montclair students and the students of Paterson Public Schools.

The first phase of One Square Mile saw Paterson’s Eastside High School transform into a University-assisted community school through support from the Dodge Foundation and the work of community partners.

Ready to Start Your Montclair Journey?

Prospective Students: It’s not too late to apply! Montclair State University is still accepting applications and deposits for fall 火狐体育.

Looking Ahead? The application for fall 2026 opens August 1. Plan your visit and take your first step in applying to become a Red Hawk!