New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency

Christie Administration Marks Groundbreaking of Perry Street Supportive Permanent Housing in Trenton

For Immediate Release:
September 28, 2012
Contact:
Lisa Ryan
609-292-6055
Affordable Housing Community to Serve Homeless and People with Special Needs
 
TRENTON, N.J. – New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) Executive Director Anthony L. Marchetta today joined local officials and representatives of the Rescue Mission of Trenton for the groundbreaking ceremony of Perry Street Supportive Permanent Housing, a 15-unit affordable housing community for previously homeless individuals. The HMFA, an affiliate of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), provided approximately $2.74 million in permanent financing and construction financing for the project from the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund.

“No one should experience homelessness. No one should be without a safe, stable place to live,” said Commissioner Richard E. Constable, III, who is Chair of the HMFA. “Permanent supportive housing such as the Perry Street project is a proven intervention that ends chronic homelessness because it alleviates the stress associated with being homeless and provides stability. We are truly pleased to be a part of this worthwhile endeavor.”

Once built, Perry Street Housing will be a 15-unit, ADA-compliant building that will provide permanent supportive housing opportunities for fifteen single homeless individuals with a disability.

The first floor of the four-story building will be set aside for commercial space. The Rescue Mission of Trenton, which is developing the project, will oversee the commercial operation, participate in the selection of goods and services sold, and require the employment of four of the project’s tenants. Supportive services will be provided through the Rescue Mission for the tenants to maintain employment. The remaining three floors will each feature five efficiency apartments.

A full-time case manager will perform the needs assessment, service coordination, and case management services for the residents of Perry Street Housing. Additionally, social services for the residents will include an outpatient clinic and other health care services, mental health management, substance abuse programs, financial management, access to basic adult education, GED preparation. and other skills to open avenues for employment opportunities.

“I am proud the HMFA was able to be a part of Perry Street Housing, which would not have broken ground without the hard work, persistence and commitment of the development team,” said Executive Director Marchetta. “Without a doubt, this project will present a better housing experience for formerly homeless individuals and result in increased economic security and improved health and stability.”

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.

Additional funding for the Perry Street Supportive Permanent Housing Project is coming from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Supportive Housing Program, City of Trenton, Hopewell Valley Community Bank. The Rescue Mission of Trenton has also applied for funding through the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York’s Affordable Housing Program.

The Rescue Mission, incorporated in 1917, provides shelter and social services to the homeless, hungry, transient and addicted in the Trenton area. The purpose of the Rescue Mission is to serve the truly needy who have no place to turn for shelter, food and clothing and to create an environment where each person can live with dignity, build self-esteem, and experience love, responsibility and hope.

For more information on HMFA programs, please call 1-800-NJHOUSE or (609) 278-7400, or log on to www.njhousing.gov.