When Leonor Salgado arrived in Princeton from Nicaragua, she came without an existing community to lean on. What she carried instead was immense curiosity and an unrelenting drive to learn, qualities that became her compass as she built a life from the ground up. With her two children, one born just six months after she arrived, Leonor has called Princeton Community Village home for over twenty years, firmly rooted and among the first to welcome others into the community that shaped her.

For recent community garden enthusiasts and longtime Elm Court residents Jill Warrington and Hilary Ziff, the community garden at Elm Court has become a source of connection, generosity, and creativity, along with a source of impressive harvests. Since moving into the senior affordable housing community developed and managed by Princeton Community Housing 12 and 17 years ago respectively, both residents have embraced the garden as a vibrant extension of home. Over the years, they have watched the garden flourish, and last summer, they helped bring its bounty to more residents in an inspiring new way.

Allan Bien is a proud new resident of Griggs Farm. A devoted father of five sons, three of whom live nearby, Allan has deep roots in the area. One of his sons, also a PCH resident at Princeton Community Village, is a psychologist and played a key role in helping Allan transition into his new home. Allan felt fortunate when the apartment, which was built to accommodate a resident with special needs, became available to move in. “It's a beautiful, welcoming home,” he says appreciatively, adding that it’s been a comfortable and inspiring place to begin this next chapter of his life.

For 15 years, Princeton Community Village (PCV) has been more than just housing for Dina Skinner and her daughter, Maiyin—it has been a home, a support system, and a source of opportunity. Dina was first drawn to Princeton while visiting her mother, captivated by its safety and friendly faces. Determined for a vibrant future for her then one-year-old daughter, she completed an application for affordable housing and was selected for a newly vacant apartment at PCV, where she seized the opportunity to move in without hesitation. Dina found that PCV embodied the best aspects of Princeton that initially charmed her: an idyllic, verdant setting with a close-knit community where neighbors know and support one another, and the opportunity for her daughter to attend a strong school district, benefiting from the excellent education and opportunities that came with it.

“It means a great deal to me to know that I can afford this housing”, stated David Anderson.  After retiring, David’s decreased income required him to downsize.  His two-bedroom apartment at Griggs Farm has provided a home for his ten-year-old daughter and himself that is both affordable and close to her school.  “It is a terrible thing for a parent to have to worry about moving a family around when financial hardship strikes.  Affordable apartments are stable apartments, and stability makes all the difference for growing children.llent education and opportunities that came with it.

When Leonor Salgado arrived in Princeton from Nicaragua, she came without an existing community to lean on. What she carried instead was immense curiosity and an unrelenting drive to learn, qualities that became her compass as she built a life from the ground up. With her two children, one born just six months after she arrived, Leonor has called Princeton Community Village home for over twenty years, firmly rooted and among the first to welcome others into the community that shaped her.

“I’ve lived in Princeton my whole life – PCV has been my home all the way through!”  

Born and raised in Princeton, Daniel (Danny) Hanna attended Riverside Elementary School, John Witherspoon Middle School, and Princeton High School.  

“From playing basketball with the neighborhood kids at Hill Top Park to shutting myself in my room to study for a few hours, this community has influenced my life by serving as a safe space to focus on my growth – personal, academic, and professional.”  

“I am as happy now as I wanted to be when I was five years old,” Beth Plankey responded when asked if she enjoys living at Elm Court. Originally from Massachusetts, Beth moved to New Jersey 18 years ago. Before relocating to Princeton, Beth would take the bus every morning from Trenton in order to volunteer at the Princeton Library and lead a writer’s workshop. In the past, she would tell people that she lived in Princeton, but slept in Trenton, because of her fondness for the town. Beth was able to move to Elm Court six years ago after qualifying for a one bedroom apartment.  

Originally from Princeton, Shelley Howard qualified for a studio apartment and moved to Elm Court over two years ago. She missed the beauty, safety, and friendliness of Princeton and wanted to return to the town she calls home. After her husband passed away, Shelley no longer felt safe living alone in Trenton, especially after her home was burglarized. She learned about Elm Court through her family members who were already residents of the community. Shelley now lives down the hall from her father and aunt, and close to her other family members and friends who live in Princeton. The safe environment and kind people at Elm Court are Shelley’s favorite aspects of the Princeton Community Housing community.

In 2001, Ramon Orostizaga, his wife, and two daughters moved from Chile to Jersey City.  It was Ramon’s educational journey that led him to Princeton Theological Seminary in 2010 where he obtained two Masters Degrees in Divinity and Theology, graduating in 2014. It was during his time as a theology student that he learned about Princeton Community Housing.  In 2017, Ramon, his wife, and his three daughters – the youngest born in the United States – moved to Princeton Community Village (PCV).