New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency

DCA & HMFA Celebrate Grand Opening of Hamilton Supportive Housing Community in Neptune City

For Immediate Release:
November 30, 2010
Contact:
Hollie Gilroy
,
Lisa Ryan, Office of Communications
(609) 292-6055

Project to Provide Permanent Supportive Housing for Individuals with Special Needs

NEPTUNE CITY, N.J. – Representatives from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) joined local officials today to celebrate the grand opening of Hamilton Supportive Housing, an affordable housing residence for individuals with special needs. The HMFA, an affiliate of the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), provided $556,000 in construction and permanent financing for the project from the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund. An additional $41,000 in construction and permanent financing came from the New Jersey Community Housing Partnership Program.

“Too often the most vulnerable in the community are forced into homelessness, substandard housing or waiting lists. The Trust Fund is helping to change that by assisting projects like Hamilton Supportive Housing,” said DCA Commissioner Lori Grifa, who is Chair of the HMFA. “Now, instead of seeing homelessness or institutionalization as their only options, more people with special needs have the opportunity to stabilize their lives and move towards more independent living.”

Hamilton Supportive Housing is a newly constructed, four-bedroom residence in Neptune City. The entire first story, including one bedroom, is ADA accessible. Other features include a living room, eat-in kitchen, laundry room, and four study rooms. The residence was built with sustainable green technologies, including a geothermal heating system, high efficiency water heater, energy efficient windows and insulation, and durable flooring materials. The facility is in close proximity retail, public transportation, and parks.

“I commend the City of Neptune for recognizing the need for affordable supportive housing. The City’s support is the reason Hamilton Supportive Housing residents will have the opportunity to live in an environment that fosters independence,” said HMFA Executive Director Anthony L. Marchetta. “The HMFA is happy to play a role in getting this project off the ground. It truly advances our goal of making affordable housing a reality for more residents of the State.”

Hamilton Supportive Housing was developed by Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey, Inc. (CSP-NJ), a private not-for-profit statewide housing and support services organization. The mission of CSP-NJ is to provide individualized and flexible community-based services through the creation and administration of self-help centers, supportive housing, advocacy, and entrepreneurial programs for adults with mental health issues. In addition to developing the facility, CSP-NJ will manage the residence and provide residents with social services.

The Special Needs Housing Trust Fund is administered by the HMFA and provides capital financing to create 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.

The New Jersey Community Housing Partnership Program is administered by the HMFA in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Human Services. The program assists project sponsors by providing low-interest financing to develop innovative and flexible housing opportunities for individuals and families seeking affordable housing with supportive services in independent, community-based settings.

For more information on all HMFA programs, please call 1-800-NJHOUSE or 609-278-7400, or log on to www.nj-hmfa.com.