JERSEY CITY, N.J. – New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) Executive Director Anthony L. Marchetta today joined Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy and other local officials to break ground on Bergen Court Apartments located at 242 Bergen Avenue in Jersey City, Hudson County. The HMFA, an affiliate of the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), provided close to $175,000 in permanent financing through their Small Rental Project Loan Program and $400,000 in construction financing from the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund for the project.
“Bergen Court Apartments is a perfect example of how federal, state, local and private enterprise can work together to build quality affordable housing for those who need it most,” said the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs Richard E. Constable, III, who is Chair of the HMFA. “I’m proud to be involved in projects such as these because they advance Governor Christie’s laudable goal of bringing homelessness to an end here in New Jersey.”
Once completed, the substantially rehabilitated facility will include a total of 12 affordable housing opportunities, eight two-bedroom units with rents below 60% of the area median income and four one-bedroom units that will be set aside for chronically homeless individuals with a disability. The Hoboken Shelter has committed four project-based HUD Shelter Plus Care vouchers for the one-bedroom units; additional funding is being provided through Jersey City HOME funds. Bergen Court Apartments amenities will include refrigerator, air conditioner, cable television hookups, basement storage space, range and a laundry facility on each floor. Additionally, this project is in close proximity to public bus transportation, parks, recreational facilities and schools.
“The HMFA is happy to play a role in getting this project off the ground. It truly advances our goal of making affordable housing a reality for more and more residents of the State,” said HMFA Executive Director Anthony Marchetta. “We commend Jersey City for recognizing the need for affordable housing and providing opportunities to those most in need.”
Jersey City Episcopal Community Development Corporation (JCECDC), located in Jersey City, New Jersey, is the developer for this project and has been involved in the development of affordable housing for several years. They have built 172 units of affordable housing including low-income rentals, home ownership opportunities for first-time home buyers, and special needs housing through rehabilitation and new construction activities. This will be the fourth project JCECDC is working on with HMFA; they have completed three other permanent supportive housing projects for 20 individuals with funding through the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund.
The Special Needs Housing Trust Fund is administered by the HMFA and provides capital financing to create permanent supportive housing and community residences for individuals with special needs, with priority given to individuals with mental illness. The purpose of the fund is to develop special needs housing and residential opportunities as alternatives to institutionalization or homelessness for those who would benefit from these programs and to ensure the long-term viability of such housing.
For more information on HMFA programs, please call 1-800-NJHOUSE or (609) 278-7400, or log on to www.njhousing.gov.