The Housing Authority of the City of East Orange owns and operates a total of 244 public housing units. Concord Towers a Low-Income Elderly building with 64 units was built in 1963 and Vista Village a Low Income Elderly building with 180 units was built in 1970 and an Administrative Office located at 160 Halsted Street. The Housing Authority was established in 1957 by the City Council of the City of East Orange.

The Housing Authority of the City of East Orange is located in the heart of the most densely populated area of the State of New Jersey. Out of a total of 75,213 persons, 66,157 are Black, comprising an 87.96% ratio. Hispanics and other minorities make 4.99% with remaining 7% Whites. It should then be of no surprise to anyone that this community does not feel “minority”; it has welcomed presidents and other dignitaries from throughout the African continent to a series of African American cultural programs and activities. Many of its residents have distinguished themselves in sports, arts and sciences.

The Housing Authority of the City of East Orange counts a number of very low income residents among the housing projects it administers. Poverty without dignity and ambition attracts criminal behavior and the poor are almost constantly threatened with the maladies. One of the EOHA projects became the site of criminal activity (mainly drug peddlers) and the community became scared; did not know what to do. They had no idea of how fortunate they had been, for PHA Director Harry B. Jackson was both a veteran and veteran of housing and housing services, during whose tenure HUD awarded the PHA with a “Greatest Improved Performance” Award which was presented in December of 1994 during ceremonies held in Washington, D.C.

The EOHA secured through the DEP funding the special services of the experienced and dedicated Sergeant Frank Cocchi of the East Orange Police Department, a 1994 recipient of the “Community Policing” Award and “Top Cop” Award from the citizens of the City of East Orange.

Now it was up to the residents and the tenant organizations. First, it was necessary to encourage tenants to attend meetings so as to discuss their plight and work together towards the successful achievement of their goals – to get rid of the drug dealers among them. The Board of Commissioners scheduled meetings at the sites and encouraged al to attend and participate actively in the submission of ideas, suggestion and recommendations to improve their quality of life at the developments.

East Orange Housing Authority Demolished Arcadian Gardens

In February 2004, the Housing Authority of the City of East Orange completed a major initiative that consisted of the demolition of Arcadian Gardens, commonly known as “Little City”.

As part of its established goal to remove obsolete, nonviable public housing from its portfolio and replace it with appropriately-designed, quality housing, the East Orange Housing Authority (EOHA) commences demolition of Phase I and Phase II of Arcadian Gardens.

This marks the first phase of demolition activity at the 38 year old complex located at 27 Sussex Avenue that once contained 23 buildings and 212 housing units of low-income family & elderly units was built in 1969. The East Orange Housing Authority subsequently initiated a four phase campaign that began on Monday, September 15, 2003.

Demolition represents the passage of Arcadian Gardens into the annals of public housing. This development provided a safe, decent and sanitary living environment for many families, but has outlived its ability to offer the standard of living that our residents deserve.

“This effort is a continuation of our collaboration with Mayor Robert L. Bowser and Municipal Council to revitalize the city in general and the 4th Ward in particular.

The EOHA revitalization plan proposes total demolition of the existing site and creating a less dense, more livable community with townhouses and flats that have front and back yards, a building for the elderly, a state of the art community center and improved safety features by integrating public housing and homeownership units back on the site.

The complex was designed in 1965 with construction completed in 1967 and covers 9 acres and the materials of construction consist mainly of concrete masonry units and pre-cast concrete planks for floors and roofs.

Mazzocchi Wrecking of East Hanover, New Jersey was the general demolition contractor. After completing the demolition, utilizing HOPE VI demo funds, the proposed plan included replacing the development with lower density infill housing on site and gut rehabilitation of existing housing units located in the teen street area of East Orange. However, the HOPE VI funding did not come through and the redevelopment of the now vacant Arcadian Gardens site is under review.

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