Madison Unveils The Forum: Sustainable Affordable Housing in New Jersey

44-unit development achieves national energy efficiency milestones, offering low-income families modern, eco-friendly living in the heart of Morris County

Madison, NJ — Local, county, state, and federal officials gathered in Madison on May 28th to celebrate the grand opening of The Forum at Madison, a pioneering affordable housing development that combines sustainability with affordability in a first-of-its-kind project for New Jersey.

Located within the Borough of Madison, the 44-unit housing complex marks a major milestone as the first family-oriented affordable housing project in the state to achieve both Passive House certification and compliance with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Homes standards. These certifications signify that the residences are built to be so energy efficient that most or all of their annual energy consumption can be offset by renewable sources.

"Today marks a significant milestone for Madison and for sustainable, affordable housing in New Jersey. With the ribbon cutting of The Forum at Madison, we're not just opening doors to new homes; we're proudly unveiling the state's first Passive House and Zero Energy Ready affordable multifamily community for families, setting an unprecedented standard for sustainable living that works to address both the climate and affordable housing crises,” said Ed Martoglio, Founder and President of RPM Development Group. “This development truly embodies the collective commitment of the Borough of Madison, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, HUD, NJHMFA, Morris County Department of Human Services, Madison Housing Authority, and RPM to building high-quality, innovative homes that offer families exceptional comfort, dramatically lower energy costs, and a healthier future. It proves that sustainable, affordable housing is not only possible but the way forward for our communities. In combination with the amenities Madison has to offer, excellent school districts, rail transit into NYC, a walkable downtown, and a vibrant community, the Forum at Madison will give 43 families to the opportunity to access these amenities and enhance social and economic mobility," continued Martoglio. 

Developed by RPM Development Group, The Forum incorporates high-performance design elements tailored for energy savings and resident comfort. Each unit includes Energy-Star certified appliances, LED lighting, all-electric high-efficiency systems for heating, cooling, and hot water, Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs), and enhanced insulation. Solar panels will be added in the near future to further reduce utility costs for tenants.

“This project represents the very best of what local government can accomplish when we combine vision with action,” said Mayor Robert H. Conley. “The Forum at Madison not only delivers affordable homes for working families — it sets a new benchmark for sustainable design in New Jersey. As we grow our commitment to a greener Madison, I hope this one-of-a-kind project inspires other communities to follow our lead and invest in housing that is both environmentally responsible and economically smart.” 

“I want to thank Mayor Conley, the Borough Council, and everyone who worked tirelessly to bring this project to life. These 44 apartments are not only affordable but also built to the highest clean energy standards, meaning lower utility bills, cleaner air, and a healthier community here in Madison. I’m proud that we were able to bring back New Jerseyans’ hard-earned tax dollars to secure funding for this Community Project. Housing that is affordable plays a crucial role in easing the financial burden on working-class families, making it possible for them to keep more of what they’ve earned and invest in their futures. This project shows what’s possible through strong local partnerships and a collective commitment to ensure families in our community have a place to call home,” said Representative Mikie Sherrill.

The development was funded through a multifaceted public-private partnership. Federal Community Project Funding, secured by U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill, supported the effort alongside contributions from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, the Morris County HOME Program, the New Jersey Special Needs Housing Trust Fund, the New Jersey Affordable Housing Production Fund, and private financial institutions including Santander Bank and PNC. The Borough of Madison and the Madison Housing Authority played key roles in the project’s planning and realization.

“Through our Office of Community Development, Morris County proudly contributed $425,000 in federal HOME funds, ensuring these units remain affordable for at least 30 years. As spoken by Abraham Lincoln over 150 years ago ‘The strength of a nation lies in the homes of its people’. Housing is the foundation of family security, stability and prosperity. It strengthens our communities and provides a footing from which Americans can work to support their families and achieve their personal goals,” said Morris County Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw.

Tenant move-ins are scheduled to begin within the next few weeks, with full occupancy projected by early July.

Residents and prospective applicants seeking more information about affordable housing opportunities in Madison can visit www.rosenet.org.