DHS and HMFA leaders visit New Jersey Group Home Agency Focused on Emergency Preparedness
Several providers of residential services for people with disabilities have installed generators in existing and new construction housing to prevent the need for large scale evacuations as experienced during Superstorm Sandy.
"This group home advances efforts by the state to provide new community-based residential opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities," said Department of Human Services Commissioner Jennifer Velez. "Our House helps to provide the day-to-day community experiences that enrich the lives of its residents."
People with developmental disabilities, their family members and agency representatives were in attendance at the ceremony, which underscored the importance of community living for people with developmental disabilities.
"Every person has the right to live in a community, share in its resources, meet new people and have the opportunity to work, or attend work-activity programs. Our House, and the many other private agencies in New Jersey that provide around the clock supports to people with developmental disabilities, make this all possible," said Janel Winter, Director of Housing & Program Development for DHS’ Division of Developmental Disabilities. "This home was developed with emergency preparedness in mind, by including a whole-house generator that switches on just ten seconds from the moment of power loss."
Our House, and other agencies that provide group home and community living residential programs for people with developmental disabilities continued to provide round-the-clock care for their consumers during Superstorm Sandy. Staff members ensured that the residents of their homes were safe and secure. Since the storm, many of the agencies have applied to FEMA for funding for emergency generators or have done fund raising to add generators to their group homes.
"Helfreds Landing truly carries out the mission that is shared by all of the stakeholders gathered here today, which is to provide permanent supportive housing opportunities to individuals in need" said Housing Mortgage and Finance Agency (HMFA) Executive Director Anthony L. Marchetta. "We at the HMFA are delighted that our Special Needs Partnership Program was able to help Our House, Inc. initiate this critically important project in Bridgewater Township."
Founded in 1980, Our House, Inc. is a private, non-profit 501(c) 3 organization that provides residential, employment and recreational services to individuals with developmental disabilities. The agency operates group homes and other community residences throughout Union, Essex, Somerset and Morris Counties.
