Princeton Community Housing is marking two major milestones in 2025: the 50th anniversary of Princeton Community Village, the organization’s first community developed and opened in 1975, and then 40th anniversary of Elm Court, which welcomed its first residents in 1985.
To celebrate, PCH is launching “The Birdhouse Project,” a creative and fun way to share the organization’s origin story, highlight its commitment to housing action, and the need for more affordable housing. Today, the state of New Jersey faces a severe shortage of 200,000 to 300,000 affordable homes. In addition to developing and managing affordable homes, a major focus of PCH is on advocacy efforts.
Specifically, The Birdhouse Project is a campaign to design and build one-of-a-kind birdhouses and display them around town beginning this summer. PCH is inviting design and construction professionals in the sector to create the birdhouses. They will be displayed outdoors at one of several locations in town for a 12-month period. The birdhouses will feature signage with information about the builders, sponsors and hosts, including a QR code for viewers to read more about the entry on PCH’s website.
These special birdhouses will also be exhibited on the grounds of PCH’s original founding community partners, the organizations that assisted in launching PCH in its early days, and helped develop the PCH communities. These communities now include Princeton Community Village, Elm Court, Griggs Farm, and Harriet Bryan House. Today, more than 1,100 people reside in PCH homes.
Princeton residents Charlie Yedlin and Sheila Nall are serving as the lead ambassadors for The Birdhouse Project. Both worked for decades in the building sectors. Yedlin, a longtime PCH volunteer and owner of the Yedlin Company, has decades of experience in construction.
“At PCH, there’s a long tradition of building Birdhouses, largely as fundraisers” explains Yedlin, “we thought that we could expand on that idea by displaying the creations around town for the public to enjoy and showcase the remarkable talents we have here in Princeton in the building and design trades.” Yedlin served on PCH’s Capital Campaign committee, which raised funds to build the new Jim and Fannie Floyd House at Princeton Community Village that opened in 2023.
Yedlin is joined by Nall, a retired interior designer and podcaster. “There is no question that we need to do more to address the housing shortage and raise awareness. PCH has an amazing history worth celebrating — all of us in Princeton are lucky to have a nonprofit with its track record in this community, adding to the town’s strength and vibrancy. We’re excited to include many of our colleagues in the housing and construction industry in this effort — and look forward to seeing their contributions!”
To date, several designers and builders have signed up for the project, including C & C Construction Management, Inc., JZA+D, the Princeton Design Guild, Mercer General Works, and KSS Architects. Justin Tree Services has donated their services to install the birdhouses over the summer. A kickoff reception will be hosted at The Meeting House on Witherspoon Street in Princeton on Thursday, April 24, for all participants.
Interested birdhouse builders are invited to visit the PCH website for more information: pchhomes.org/Support/The Birdhouse Project. A $500 entry fee is requested for each birdhouse, and can be provided by hosts, builders, or sponsors. The proceeds will be used to underwrite resident anniversary picnics this summer at Princeton Community Village and Elm Court.
For sponsorship information or to build a birdhouse, call Kate Bech, director of mission advancement, at 609-924-3822 x6 or email katebech@pchhomes.org to learn more.
Members of the community who wish to invest in quality, affordable homes and services for Princeton residents may donate online at www.pchhomes.org.
