Middletown to Add 100 Affordable Homes, Revamp Existing Units
Mayor Joseph DeStefano and local, state and federal officials announced plans to build 100 new affordable housing units in the City of Middletown, while renovating nearly 200 existing units and repairing a 100 year old water main. The project, a partnership between the Middletown Housing Authority, RUPCO and state agencies, promises new housing stock, infrastructure upgrades and a community garden with implications for residents across Orange County.
City officials announced in April that Middletown will expand its affordable housing inventory by 100 units and undertake major repairs to existing public housing. The plan calls for two 50 unit apartment buildings, one to sit on a one acre parcel adjacent to the Middletown Housing Authority that the city donated, and the other to be developed at the David Moore Heights complex. Officials said the effort is a partnership between the Housing Authority, RUPCO and the state, with federal support for critical infrastructure work.
The proposal also includes renovations to almost 200 existing units and the repair of a 100 year old water main, work officials said will be aided by a 3.5 million dollar federal grant. Planners intend to add a community garden as part of the development, aiming to provide open space and local food access alongside new housing. Voting on the Middletown project was expected to begin in the spring, with construction anticipated to begin in fall 2026, contingent on approvals and funding.
For Orange County residents, the plan addresses two pressing issues. First, the addition of one and two bedroom units will expand affordable inventory at a time when many households face rent pressure and limited options near employment centers. Second, the water main repair and unit renovations target long standing infrastructure weaknesses in older public housing that can affect health and daily life. The donated city parcel reduced land costs and signaled municipal commitment to the project, while the federal grant targeted infrastructure rather than only new construction.
Neighborhoods near the Middletown Housing Authority and David Moore Heights can expect construction related activity and temporary impacts during the build out. The project is also likely to generate local construction jobs and boost demand for local services during rehabilitation work. The inclusion of a community garden responds to community desires for shared space and food access, an amenity that can strengthen neighborhood cohesion.
The Middletown plan fits broader regional efforts to pair affordable housing expansion with infrastructure investment. If approvals proceed and funding stays intact, residents can expect a phased timeline moving from local votes to ground breaking in fall 2026, with the project promising to shape housing options and neighborhood conditions across the city and the county.
