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Aging Out Youth
The Department of Community Affairs recently announced a five-year, $36 million initiative to produce new units of housing for DYFS client families and at risk youth. The initiative includes allocation of an additional $1.3 million to produce additional units of housing through the Agency’s existing Housing Opportunities for Adolescents Aging Out of Foster Care and Children with Special Needs Program (HMFA/DYFS Home Opportunities Program). This partnership program with the Department of Human Services, Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) was developed to assist in the production of supportive housing, transitional and permanent housing, including shared living rental residences that provide access to support services to assist youth to move towards independence and self-sufficiency. The program is designed to serve youth aging out of foster care, homeless and run-away youth, youth in the juvenile justice system and special needs children.
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Housing Opportunities for Adolescents Aging Out of Foster Care and Children with Special Needs Program
This program provides low interest financing to not-for-profit organizations, for-profit developers and/or public entities for the acquisition of land and building(s), including rehabilitation of existing buildings, to create affordable service enriched transitional and permanent housing for youth aging out of foster care programs, homeless youth, youth served by the Juvenile Justice Commission and special needs children. Agency staff works in partnership with DYFS staff to identify project sponsors and best practice models for housing the program’s target populations. Additionally, Agency staff provides technical assistance to project sponsors to assist them as they move through project design and development.
For information contact: Yirgu Wolde, Community Development Officer (609) 278-7521.
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The Services for Independent Living (SIL) Program
Established at the Agency in 1988 to promote independent living and prevent premature or unnecessary placement in nursing homes for residents of HMFA-financed senior housing developments, the mission of the Services for Independent Living (SIL) program is to enhance the quality of life for residents in these developments. The SIL program is currently available in 67 buildings, serving approximately 10,000 residents each year. HMFA provides the training, resources and guidance necessary for onsite services coordinators to develop appropriate programs and services for residents. SIL staff trains the onsite service coordinators to develop and implement services encompassing such areas as health screening, meals, housekeeping and personal care, as well as recreational, educational and cultural activities. In order to enhance and expand services for residents in SIL buildings, the SIL program has partnered with a wide variety of community, state and federal organizations including the Social Security Administration, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), Rutgers School of Social Work, local hospitals and home health agencies. In October 1999, the SIL program won an award for Program Achievement in Special Needs Housing from the National Council of State Housing Agencies.
For information contact: Maria DiMaggio, Community Development Officer, (609) 278-7512
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