November 10, 2014 Christie Administration Marks Grand Opening of Our House Summit Group Home in City of Summit
Christie Administration Marks Grand Opening of Our House Summit Group Home in City of Summit
Rehabilitated Ranch Home Provides Supportive Community Housing for Four Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
SUMMIT, N.J. – The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) recently joined the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), City of Summit and Our House, Inc. (OHI) to celebrate the grand opening of Our House Summit Group Home, an affordable permanent supportive rental housing project in the City of Summit, Union County.
The HMFA, an affiliate of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), provided $250,000 in construction and permanent financing from the Special Needs Housing Partnership Loan Program (SNHPLP), a partnership between DCA, HMFA, DDD, and municipalities to provide capital financing necessary to create permanent supportive housing and community residences for individuals with developmental disabilities.
"Our House Summit Group Home will provide permanent supportive housing opportunities for New Jersey’s residents with developmental disabilities following the Olmstead Initiative," said DCA Commissioner Richard E. Constable, III, who also serves as Chairman of the HMFA. "Homes like this help integrate the population of individuals with special needs into communities throughout the state, and move those who require emergency community residential placements into appropriate housing more promptly than before."
The Olmstead Initiative is DDD’s plan for moving 1,850 residents from its seven developmental centers into the community over eight years, beginning in 2007, thereby expanding living options for people with developmental disabilities.
Our House Summit Group Home, a moderately rehabilitated ranch home, is comprised of four bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a living room, dining room, and eat-in kitchen. The home also has laundry facilities, patio, attached garage, and a backyard. Each resident will have his or her own bedroom and will share the common areas. The scope of the rehabilitation work included the installation of hard wood floors throughout the first floor, laundry closet by the kitchen, and a door to the rear yard. Additionally, a fence and fire suppression system have been installed, as well as interior painting, paving of the driveway, replacing the existing deck with a new one, and extending a bedroom hallway to allow all residents access to a second full bathroom. The units will be reserved for individuals with developmental disabilities at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Our House Summit Group Home is located on a quiet tree-lined street in a suburban neighborhood in the City of Summit, which has many amenities available within a half mile radius including restaurants, shopping, parks, schools, library, banking, and public transportation. The City of Summit is made up of six square miles of tree-lined streets, open spaces, and an active community-oriented business district. It is also a major transportation hub with 30 minute direct access to Manhattan, major highways, the NJ Turnpike, and the Newark Airport.
OHI, the developer and social service provider of the project, will provide customized supportive services to the four residents with developmental disabilities, designed to meet each resident’s needs and desires for care, treatment, training, and rehabilitation. The training and support to residents will emphasize developing skills that will enable them to be self-sufficient. Furthermore, the individuals will receive one-on-one training in the goals listed in their Individualized Habitation Plan.
"HMFA is so pleased to contribute to the financing of Our House Summit Group Home," said HMFA Executive Director Marchetta. "The Special Needs Housing Partnership Loan Program that helped finance the project is a nationally recognized financing mechanism that helps integrate people with special needs into the community, and enables municipalities to utilize the monies in their Affordable Housing Trust Fund accounts to create housing for those with developmental disabilities."
Following the SNHPLP Guidelines, loan proceeds are used for the acquisition and rehabilitation of existing 3-4 bedroom single-family houses and first floor 3-4 bedroom condominiums, with acquisition and all rehabilitation to be completed within six months of the mortgage closing.
The project, which costs approximately $680,000 to develop, will not only provide permanent supportive affordable housing opportunities for four individuals with developmental disabilities, but will also have a positive economic impact on the Union County community. HMFA estimates that the project has generated approximately $1.1 million in one-time economic output, six direct and indirect/induced full-time jobs, and $39,000 in state and local taxes during construction. Now completed, the project will continue to add value to the community by providing approximately $120,000 in ongoing economic output, one full-time job, and $6,800 in state and local taxes annually. Other funding sources for the development of Our House Summit Group Home included City of Summit, DCA, and DDD.
The project developer Our House, Inc., is a private, nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization that provides residential, employment and recreational services to individuals with developmental and other disabilities, and strives to promote a high quality of life for these individuals and help them to become productive members of the community.
For more information on the SNHPLP visit the HMFA website at www.njhousing.gov or call 1-800-NJ-HOUSE or (609) 278-7400.
Lisa Ryan
(609) 292-6055