Finding a place to live shouldn't feel like a full-time job. Honestly, if you've spent more than five minutes scrolling through Zillow lately, you know that "affordable" is a relative term. In Lacey Township—which covers Forked River and Lanoka Harbor—the hunt for a home that doesn't eat 70% of your paycheck is particularly tough. But it isn't impossible.
Lacey is a weirdly perfect mix of Pine Barrens quiet and Jersey Shore energy. You have the Barnegat Bay on one side and miles of trees on the other. That beauty comes with a price tag. Because of that, the state of New Jersey mandates that towns like ours provide specific opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents. This isn't just "cheap" housing; it’s a regulated system designed to help the people who actually make the town run—teachers, retail workers, retirees, and young families.
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What Actually Counts as Affordable?
People get this wrong all the time. They think "affordable housing" means Section 8 vouchers or public housing projects. In Lacey, it's mostly "inclusionary" housing. This basically means a developer builds 100 nice condos and sets aside 15 or 20 of them for people who meet certain income criteria.
The units look exactly like the ones the "market rate" neighbors are buying.
The big question is always: do I qualify? Everything in New Jersey’s affordable housing world is based on the Regional Median Income. Lacey is part of Region 4, which includes Ocean, Monmouth, and Mercer counties.
For 2025 and 2026, the numbers are pretty specific. If you’re a single person, you might qualify for a "Low Income" unit if you make around $47,150 or less. If you’re a family of four, that number jumps to roughly $67,300. There’s also a "Moderate Income" tier that goes much higher—up to about $107,680 for a family of four.
If you make $100k and think you’re "too rich" for help, you might actually be surprised.
The Big Players in Lacey NJ
You can't just walk into Town Hall and ask for a key. You have to know who manages which property. It’s a bit of a maze.
Walters Group (Cornerstone at Lacey)
If you’ve driven down Gary Smith Way lately, you’ve seen Cornerstone at Lacey. This is a massive project by Walters Group. They just launched Phase III in early 2025. This phase added 70 units specifically for people earning 60% or less of the area median income.
- The Vibe: It feels like a luxury complex.
- The Perks: LEED-certified (lower electric bills!), a fitness center, and even a basketball court.
- The Catch: The waitlists are long. They run lotteries for these spots. If you missed the April 2025 lottery, you’re looking at a waitlist situation.
Heritage Village at Seabreeze
This one is for the 55+ crowd. It’s located in Forked River and is tailored for active adults who are "income-eligible." It’s managed by CIS (Community Investment Strategies). If you want a balcony and an elevator but don't want to pay $3,000 a month in rent, this is the spot.
The Preserve at Barnegat Bay
Located on Cyprus Court, these are actually condos for sale, not just rent. This is a huge distinction. Buying an affordable unit is a great way to build equity. However, you have to stay within the "resale" rules. You can't buy it for $150k and flip it for $400k next year. The price appreciation is capped to keep it affordable for the next person.
The "Hidden" Management Companies
You won't find these on the Lacey Township homepage easily. Most of the town's inventory is managed by outside firms called "Administrative Agents."
- CGP&H (Affordable Homes New Jersey): They handle a lot of the ownership units and some rentals. You have to create a profile on their website to even see the listings.
- Piazza & Associates: They manage a massive chunk of New Jersey's affordable housing. While they have fewer Lacey-specific listings right now compared to Walters, they are the ones you contact for many of the older "scattered site" units.
Why It’s So Hard to Get In
Let's be real: demand is ten times higher than supply.
When a new development like Cornerstone III opens up, hundreds—sometimes thousands—of people apply for 70 spots. The town is constantly under pressure from organizations like the Fair Share Housing Center to build more, but there’s always a tug-of-war between state mandates and local "not in my backyard" (NIMBY) sentiment.
The biggest hurdle isn't the paperwork. It's the timing. If you apply when you need a place tomorrow, you're already too late. You need to be on the lists two years before your lease is up.
Misconceptions You Should Ignore
"The houses are poorly built."
False. In Lacey, most affordable units are part of larger, high-end developments. They have the same siding, the same roofs, and often the same interior finishes as the units selling for half a million dollars.
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"I'll never get picked."
It’s a lottery. It’s literally a game of chance. If you don't play, you definitely won't win. Some people get lucky and get a call in three months. Others wait five years.
"It's only for people on welfare."
Actually, most affordable housing in Lacey is specifically geared toward the "ALICE" population (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). It’s for people who have jobs but simply don't make enough to keep up with Jersey's insane property taxes and insurance rates.
Your Action Plan
If you're serious about finding affordable housing in Lacey NJ, stop browsing and start documenting.
First, go to AffordableHomesNewJersey.com (CGP&H) and create a profile. Don't just look—actually fill out the preliminary application. This puts you in their database. If a house on Cyprus Court or a condo in Forked River opens up, you'll get an email.
Second, check the Walters Group website weekly. They are the most active developer in the area. Even if the lottery is closed, they sometimes have "open" waitlists for specific bedroom sizes.
Third, get your taxes in order. When your name finally comes up, they will ask for your last three years of federal tax returns, your last four to six pay stubs, and every bank statement you own. If you can't produce those in 24 hours, they move to the next person on the list.
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It’s a grind. No doubt about it. But in a town where a "starter home" now costs $450,000, these programs are the only way many people can stay near their families.
Start the paperwork now. Your future self will thank you when that lottery number finally hits.