Community and Regional Affairs staff members present check to PCH

University gift honors decades-long ties with Princeton Community Housing

By the Office of Community and Regional Affairs on Sept. 17, 2018, 1:28 p.m.

Princeton University and Princeton Community Housing staff recently marked the University's recent donation to the organization. Left to right: Rich Gittleman, trustee, Princeton Community Housing; Erin Metro, associate director for community relations, Princeton University; Edward Truscelli, executive director, Princeton Community Housing; Kristin Appelget, director, Community and Regional Affairs, Princeton University; Chad Klaus, vice president for University Services, Princeton University; and Kyu Whang, vice president for Facilities, Princeton University.

Photo by
Danielle Capparella, Office of Communications

Princeton University recently contributed $50,000 to Princeton Community Housing’s (PCH) capital campaign in recognition of PCH’s 50th anniversary and the longtime collaborative relationship between the two institutions.

“The University is pleased to support Princeton Community Housing’s capital campaign to acknowledge our strong and multi-faceted collaboration,” said Kristin Appelget, Princeton University’s director of Community and Regional Affairs. “This milestone anniversary gave us an excellent opportunity to make an additional investment with PCH towards providing affordable housing in the community,” 

In 1967, Princeton University was one of 18 organizations that together established PCH. Over time, University faculty and staff have served on the PCH Board of Trustees; Vice President for Facilities Kyu Whang sits as a current trustee and Vice President for University Services Chad Klaus serves on the PCH Development Corporation Board.

Over the past 50 years, PCH has worked to provide local affordable housing and today owns 466 rental homes in Princeton and manages an additional 251 homes in Princeton and Mercer County. This total includes housing developed as part of University-led projects: 56 homes at the Merwick Stanworth complex, four homes at the corner of Leigh Avenue and Bayard Lane, and six homes on Leigh Avenue.

The relationship between the University and PCH also is strengthened by countless hours of service that Princeton students have volunteered to the organization over many years to support resident programs and activities. In a unique recent collaboration, University students and PCH joined forces through the work of a student-led TigerChallenge team in developing guides to help make the affordable housing application process in Princeton more user-friendly.

“We are very thankful for the University’s steadfast collaboration and generous support, and particularly for this donation, which highlights the start of the public phase of our capital campaign to provide additional affordable homes in Princeton and enhance the lives of our residents,” said Edward Truscelli, PCH executive director. “As we reflect on 50 years of service, we are more energized than ever about our exciting future within the Princeton community.”

Related Stories

University contributions to Princeton town: 2018 summary .

Summary of the many ways in which Princeton University currently contributes to and engages with the Princeton community. Submitted in a memo to the Princeton mayor and council on Feb. 6, 2019.

University contributions to Princeton town: 2019 summary .

Summary of the many ways in which Princeton University currently contributes to and engages with the Princeton community. Submitted in a memo to the Princeton mayor and council on Feb. 24, 2020.

University contributions to Princeton town: 2017 summary .

Summary of the many ways in which Princeton University currently contributes to and engages with the Princeton community.

University announces more than $50 million in voluntary contributions to Princeton municipality, local programs and residents .

The donations over the next five years are in addition to taxes the University pays and its voluntary contributions to Princeton Public Schools and Mercer County.

University contributions to Princeton town: 2016 summary .

Summary of the many ways in which Princeton University currently contributes to and engages with the Princeton community. Submitted in a memo to the Princeton mayor and council on Nov. 5, 2016.

Plans for Merwick, Stanworth housing unveiled .

Princeton University has unveiled plans to redevelop the Merwick and Stanworth sites north of campus as a residential community for University faculty, staff and their families. The project will feature a mix of apartments and townhomes, including affordable units available to local residents with low-to-moderate incomes. 

Service Recognition Luncheon honors Princeton employees for long service, special achievement and management leadership .

After a three-year-hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jadwin Gym was again bursting with pride during the Service Recognition Luncheon on April 5, the annual tradition celebrating Princeton employee service and achievement. There were 478 employees service honorees, along with six staff members who were named as President’s Achievement Award recipients and two employees who received the Donald Griffin ’23 Management Award.