NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) representatives today joined state and local officials, the project developer, and new tenants to celebrate the grand opening of Promise House, an affordable housing community in New Brunswick for New Jerseyans in need of housing and at risk of homelessness. The HMFA, an affiliated agency of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), provided $925,000 in permanent financing and construction financing for the project from the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund.
“The Christie Administration is committed to protecting the most vulnerable New Jerseyans, including those who struggle to have their basic housing needs met,” said DCA Commissioner Richard E. Constable, III, who is Chair of the HMFA. “For this reason, we are pleased to assist permanent supportive housing communities such as Promise House, which effectively treat the root causes of residents’ homelessness while providing them with a safe, stable place to live.”
Promise House, which broke ground in April 2012, is a two-story residence with seven studio units and three one-bedroom units, all of which are dedicated for people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness and who have special needs. Four of the units are ADA-compliant. The residence offers a community room, onsite supportive services and healthcare management, a laundry room, and backyard patio.
“Promise House fits squarely within the HMFA’s mission of making quality, affordable housing available to New Jersey residents, including those with special needs,” said HMFA Executive Director Anthony L. Marchetta. “Because of Promise House, 10 people now have an opportunity to attain self-sufficiency, which brings with it real hope for a better life.”
The Special Needs Housing Trust Fund is administered by the HMFA and provides capital financing to create affordable, 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.
Triple C Housing, which is the developer and social services provider for Promise House, is a private, non-profit corporation based in Monmouth Junction that provides housing and support services to people with disabilities. Triple C was incorporated in 1979 and their mission is to improve the quality of life of people with mental illness by enlisting the private and public sectors in their rehabilitation and recovery and assisting them to live with dignity, freedom and choice in their communities. Promise House is funded with $139,164 from the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
“Today’s ribbon cutting is indicative of the commitment this Administration has made to providing community-based services to individuals with disabilities,” said DHS Commissioner Jennifer Velez. “More than $50 million in new funding is earmarked in the FY’14 proposed budget to housing and community services for individuals with mental illness and developmental disabilities.”
Through the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund, the HMFA has provided funding for several housing projects with Triple C. Since 2006, Triple C has completed four other projects with a total of 27 units to provide permanent supportive housing to individuals with mental illness.
Aside from the HMFA and DHS, the project also received funding from City of New Brunswick HOME Funds, the Middlesex County Housing First Trust Fund, and Section 8 rental vouchers from the New Brunswick Housing Authority.
For more information on HMFA programs, please call 1-800-NJHOUSE or (609) 278-7400, or log on to http://www.njhousing.gov.