In a state as expensive as New Jersey, residents are constantly searching for affordable options. Especially on housing. A Bergen County town has dozens of affordable apartments up for grabs—but you have to enter a lottery to get one.
Woodland Square in Park Ridge, New Jersey has opened applications for 68 income-restricted units. Eligible applicants will be selected via a lottery system.
According to reporting from NJ.com, the new development has one-, two-, and three-bedroom units available for very-low to moderate income households.
Bergen County, NJ Affordable Housing Lottery
Applicants must enter by April 20 at 1 p.m. to qualify. Preference will be given to applicants who work in Housing Region 1—AKA Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, and Sussex Counties.
The development will draw the winners 15-20 days after the filing deadline. The property will be ready to live in by June of 2026.
Units feature in-unit washer and dryer, all-new construction, quartz countertops, stainless steel kitchen appliances, and LVT flooring. Rents will range from $487 per month to 1,636 per month based on unit size and income category.
In addition to the units themselves, the property features an array of amenities including a gym, secure mail room, lobby building, outdoor patio, barbecues, arcade, yoga studio, and a clubhouse for residents.
New Jersey’s Affordable Housing Requirements
Woodland Square exists because of New Jersey’s affordable housing mandate.
Under the state’s Fair Housing Act and the Mount Laurel doctrine—a landmark legal framework established by the New Jersey Supreme Court—municipalities are required to provide a proportional share of affordable housing based on regional need.
The state calculates each municipality’s “fair share” obligation using formulas that account for population growth, land availability, and existing deficient housing. For the 2025-2035 period (the Fourth Round), Park Ridge and other communities must meet these obligations through new construction like Woodland Square, ensuring that affordable units are available across the state rather than concentrated in low-income areas.
Apply For Woodland Square
Carefully review the income requirements to see if you qualify to enter the Woodland Square housing lottery.
The full application form can be found here.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.