In this Week's Edition
News
SHA Lunch & Learn Recap
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National Housing Trust Fund
Receives Increase in 2022
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Federal, State, and Advocate Partners
Call For Housing Investments
Through HouseNJ Campaign
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DDD Update:
New Office of Education
on Self-Directed Services
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NJCDD Video Series Explores
Black History and People With Disabilities
Featuring Rep. Major Robert Odell Owens
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DMHAS Grant
Building Capacity in Mental Health (MH)
and Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
Programs to Provide Medications for SUD
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New Jersey Notifies 186,000
Buildings and Homes Their
Drinking Water Comes Through Lead Pipes
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Reminder Applications Now Open
Affordable Housing Gap Subsidy
Loan Program Update With
Guidelines, Checklist, and UNIAP
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Reminder
Applications Now Open for Emergency
Rescue Mortgage Assistance Program
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Place Your Order for
Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
Resources & Virtual Forums
Rutgers Remote CSS IRP
Development Workshop
March 23, 2022
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DCM Associates Free Spring Webinar Series
March – May 2022
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Next SHA
Developers Meeting
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Next SHA
Members Meeting
(Annual Meeting)
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NLIHC Virtual Housing
Policy Forum 2022
March 22-23, 2022
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Check the New
Housing Available in:
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SHA is looking to hire a part-time administrator to support the Executive Director and provide general administrative duties for meetings and various projects
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DCM Associates is helping CTC Academy recruit an experienced, hands-on financial professional to serve as its next Chief Financial Officer - Business Manager. CTC Academy provides educational and therapeutic services for students with a diverse array of developmental disabilities, through a collaborative educational program and support services for students and families.
Click here to view the full ideal candidate profile.
If you would like to express your interest in this position, please send a cover letter and resume to Carol Jee, Senior Vice President at carol@dcm-associates.com. If you would like to discuss the opportunity further or would like to recommend a candidate, please contact Dennis C. Miller, Founder & Chairman at dennis@dcm-associates.com or by phone at 201.956.1810.
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Over the course of his career in New Jersey state government, Richman has spearheaded policy development in areas encompassing affordable housing, fire safety, community planning, budget development and economic revitalization. Before his 2018 appointment to the NJHMFA, Richman served as commissioner of the DCA, where he had worked for 31 years.
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SHA Welcomes New Members In 2022
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Green Energy Growing Housing Opportunities
February 23, 2022 – 12:00-1:00 PM EDT
Yesterday, SHA Members Solar Landscape and Dimension Renewable Energy joined us to discuss the community, environmental, and housing benefits that are all part of The Community Solar Energy Pilot Program. Now in its launch phase following the initial pilot program, solar projects across the state are helping New Jersey grow green energy, and help low income residents save money on energy costs. This was a fascinating look at a true win-win for our state in environmental benefits and getting affordable electricity to those in need without any major changes or investments needed by the utility consumers.
As more projects are built, there will be more opportunities to get affordable energy to communities in need, and advocates should help spread the word on the need for these green solutions to inform future funding from the state.
If you missed this Lunch & Learn, you can catch up on the meeting materials on our website under the Events tab here.
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National Housing Trust Fund Receives Increase in 2022
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As shared by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the National Housing Trust Fund (HTF) is estimated to receive $739.6 million for 2022, based on figures presented in Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s 10-K forms recently submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This allocation will be a modest increase from the $689.7 million provided for 2021. Fannie and Freddie will provide this information to their conservator, the Federal Housing Finance Administration (FHFA), which will officially announce total amounts available for the HTF and the Capital Magnet Fund (CMF) in early March. FHFA will send the official HTF tabulations to HUD, which in turn will apply the total to the statutory formula for allocating HTF to each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. territories.
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Federal, State, and Advocate Partners Call For
Housing Investments Through HouseNJ Campaign
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TRENTON – Lawmakers from the New Jersey Congressional Delegation and the New Jersey Legislature called on members of Congress to commit to funding from the “Build Back Better Act” that would expand rental assistance, fund public housing repairs, and grow the national Housing Trust Fund to build more affordable homes. The announcements were part of an event hosted by the Housing and Community Development Network of NJ (the Network) in support of the Network's HouseNJ campaign, which calls for federal- and state-level housing investments.
With the “Build Back Better Act” stalled in the U.S. Senate, state and national housing advocates are urging lawmakers to support essential Build Back Better Act investments in any upcoming budget reconciliation bill.
The Network’s HouseNJ campaign urges the Biden Administration and Congress to include the housing investments from the House-passed Build Back Better Act in any reconciliation deal, which is the expected path for the bill’s final passage. These investments will provide rental assistance to additional extremely low-income households, increase the National Housing Trust Fund, as well as repair and preserve public housing. If the House version of the “Build Back Better Act” were enacted, NJ would receive 21,000 new rental vouchers. The state would also receive $545.3 million from the National Housing Trust Fund for 5,000 new homes affordable to households at extremely low incomes. In comparison, NJ received $24.3 million in 2021.
If adopted, these investments would address the cause of the affordable housing crisis and the severe shortage of affordable and available homes to households with the lowest incomes. Nationally, there is not a single state or Congressional district in the country with enough affordable and accessible homes to meet demand, leaving the lowest income renters at risk of eviction and homelessness. Despite clear and urgent need, only one in four households who qualify for a housing voucher actually receive one. In addition, generations of discriminatory housing policies enacted at all levels of government has resulted in people of color and other historically marginalized groups bearing the brunt of the housing crisis, said Johnson.
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As shared by The Edge, Housing advocates and policymakers have grown increasingly interested in expanded production of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as an important strategy for increasing housing supply. On February 1, 2022, the White House convened a virtual discussion aimed at identifying strategies to make ADU construction easier. Panelists discussed the role of ADUs in increasing the supply of affordable housing, described efforts from across the nation to streamline the ADU permitting and construction process for homeowners, and examined ways to make ADU financing more accessible.
The Role of ADUs in the Housing Supply
Karen Chapple, director of the School of Cities at the University of Toronto, cited research showing that ADUs tend to cost half as much to build as a single-family home and rent for less than market rate, which makes them a potential source of naturally occurring affordable housing. ADUs also offer families a housing solution that can be tailored to their unique and changing needs. In addition, said Julienne Joseph, deputy assistant secretary of the Office of Single Family Housing at the Federal Housing Administration, ADUs built in expensive or highly desired areas provide an affordable housing option for workers who might otherwise be priced out of locations convenient to their jobs. Policy changes enacted in California beginning in 2017 have already borne fruit, with Denise Pinkston, board president of the Casita Coalition, reporting that as of early 2022, ADUs make up approximately 11 percent of all residential building permits issued in California. (The Edge, February 23, 2022)
Members who attended SHA's Annual Meeting on February 2nd were treated to a discussion on the merits and efforts taking place here in New Jersey on advancing ADUs in our own communities. Don't miss important conversations and presentations with timely topics by joining SHA today!
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DDD Update:
New Office of Education on Self-Directed Services
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The Office of Education on Self-Directed Services provides a centralized place for the delivery of education and training for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities receiving services, their families, advocates, support coordinators, interested community partners and other internal and external stakeholders. The Office does not replace your Support Coordinator in planning, but serves as an additional support to help people understand how self-directed services can work if chosen by the individual.
The Office houses subject matter experts on best practices in self-directed services and is available to provide technical assistance and education. The subject matter experts are focused on educating people and their families as they choose to self-direct their services. They are committed to establishing the most person-centered process as well as educating stakeholders and other community partners so that all people have the ability to achieve their desired outcomes. This is accomplished through:
- Education utilizing guidance and tools on the benefits and responsibilities of self-direction.
- Facilitation of networking meetings with individuals, families, self-advocates, providers and other interested parties.
- Providing technical assistance for Support Brokerage services to agencies seeking to provide the service and to families seeking to utilize it.
- Engaging in work to better integrate information on self-directed services into the Division’s service system.
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NJCDD Video Series Explores
Black History and People With Disabilities
Rep. Major Robert Odell Owens
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This video features Rep. Major Robert Odell Owens. Throughout the month of February, the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) will be sharing four short videos of LeDerick Horne talking about Black artists, activists, and policy makers who also have disabilities or have impacted the disability community.
Rep. Major Robert Ordell Owens was a major ally serving in the US House of Representatives especially in areas of education, employment, and civil rights. He was instrumental in creating the Taskforce for the Rights and Empowerment of Americans with Disabilities, and served as a key backer and floor manager for the Americans with Disabilities Act that passed in 1990.
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DMHAS Grant
Building Capacity in Mental Health (MH) and Substance Use
Disorder (SUD) Programs to Provide Medications for SUD
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Name of Program:
Building Capacity in Mental Health (MH) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Programs to Provide Medications for SUD
Purpose:
This Request for Proposals (RFP) is issued by the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), to assist licensed Mental Health (MH) and licensed SUD programs in developing the capacity to offer SUD medications, i.e., buprenorphine, naloxone, naltrexone, methadone and acamprosate. The awardee will ensure that the services provided ensure diversity, inclusion, equity, and cultural and linguistic competence to the target population.
Amount of funding available:
This RFP is funded through the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) State Opioid Response grant (SOR). Total annualized funding is $300,000 subject to Federal appropriations. DMHAS anticipates making up to four (4) awards (each not to exceed $75,000). This initiative will be funded through cost-reimbursement contracting.
Procedure to apply:
Due Date:
No Later than 4:00pm on March 29, 2022.
Notify Date:
April 19, 2022
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New Jersey Notifies 186,000 Buildings and Homes
Their Drinking Water Comes Through Lead Pipes
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Until the lines are replaced, residents are encouraged to let the water run from the tap for about 15 to 30 seconds to flush out the lead and access filters where they can if their building is confirmed to have lead or was built before 1990. Also, boiling water does not remove lead.
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Reminder Applications Now Open
Affordable Housing Gap Subsidy Loan Program Update With Guidelines, Checklist, and UNIAP
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Attention Developers:
The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) advances the quality of life for residents and communities throughout New Jersey by investing in, financing, and facilitating access to affordable rental housing and homeownership opportunities for low and moderate-income families, older adults, and individuals with specialized housing needs.
Therefore, the NJHMFA is proud to announce the Affordable Housing Gap Subsidy Program (AHGS), approved at the January 13, 2022 Agency board meeting. Considering the increased construction costs and project funding gaps resulting from the pandemic and supply chain disruptions, the Murphy Administration and the New Jersey Legislature have made up to $40,000,000 in AHGS funding available, to be provided in the form of loans to eligible affordable housing projects. AHGS funding priority shall be given to 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit projects that are in jeopardy of losing their credit allocation if they do not meet their placed in-service date and projects requesting the least amount of subsidy per affordable unit, among other criteria. Any remaining AHGS funds will then go to other eligible tax credit projects or other projects authorized under the legislation.
AHGS funding shall not exceed $ 1.5 million for projects with a total of up to 149 units, and the maximum loan may not exceed $2.5 million for projects with a total of 150 units or greater. Use the button below to view the AHGS Guidelines. Subsequent bulletins with necessary information like application and documents checklists will be sent to you as soon as they are available.
The AHGS financing application submission must contain the documentation as listed in the UNIAP to be deemed a complete financing application. Please refer to pages 14 and 15 of the UNIAP for the required documentation to be submitted. Incomplete financing application submissions will not be processed.
Timeline to Submit Applications
First Cycle: February 15 to March 15, 2022
Second Cycle: May 2 to May 31, 2022
Questions? Need Help?
If you have questions about AHGS e-mail your requests to Tanya Hudson-Murray, Managing Director of Multifamily Programs or Donna Spencer, Director of Multifamily/ Supportive Housing and Lending.
Access forms, checklists, policies, previous developer bulletins and more under the Developer Tab , on the NJHMFA website.
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Reminder
Applications Now Open for Emergency
Rescue Mortgage Assistance Program
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The ERMA application portal is now open for applications at: www.njerma.com as of February 8, 2022 - 9AM.
To qualify for the ERMA program, homeowners must meet the following requirements:
- Be a New Jersey homeowner with a demonstrated COVID-19-related financial hardship occurring after January 20, 2020;
- Own and occupy an eligible primary residence;
- Have an income below 150% of their Area Median Income (AMI).
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Required Documents: https://njerma.com/required-documents
NJHMFA will provide the centralized application intake platform, eligibility review, and payment of assistance, which will be made directly to the servicer.
Applicants may receive up to $35,000 per household to cover:
- Mortgage reinstatement assistance
- Other eligible housing related costs, including:
- Escrow shortages
- Delinquent property taxes
- Municipal or tax liens
- Up to four future mortgage payments, inclusive of principal, interest, taxes and homeowner’s insurance
ERMA applications can be submitted using a personal computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet. Housing counselors are available to assist homeowners that need help completing the application or understanding all available options.
NJHMFA will work to accommodate homeowners with disabilities as well as to assist applicants with limited English proficiency. The application portal is available in many languages. Applicants seeking accommodations should contact NJHMFA at (855) 647-7700 between the hours of 8am and 5pm Monday through Friday for assistance. You can also email the ERMA team at HAFServicing@njhmfa.gov.
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Place Your Order for Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
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Starting January 18th, Americans can now order free at-home COVID-19 test kits, in the ongoing effort to curb the latest, coronavirus surge.
Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com. Here’s what you need to know about your order:
· Limit of one order per residential address
· One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
· Orders will ship free starting in late January
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It's especially important to get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms after being exposed, or have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. You should also get tested if you were recently at a large gathering where social distancing was hard to maintain and are not fully vaccinated or recently recovered, or if you must travel and are not fully vaccinated.
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Resources & Virtual Forums
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Rutgers Remote CSS IRP Development Workshop
Wednesday, March 23rd from 9:30 am – 12:00 pm ET
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The Rutgers School of Health Professions (SHP) is offering an Individualized Rehabilitation Plan (IRP) Development Workshop to CSS staff who develop and complete IRPs (e.g., licensed staff and RNs). Participants will meet with SHP CSS staff (Emilie, Shelley, and Earle) and other CSS staff who complete IRPs to ask for and receive feedback during the workshop.
This 2.5 hour workshop is designed for CSS staff who develop and submit plans to the IME. Workshop participants must bring a de-identified IRP in development or have previously been submitted and received feedback but are not currently on hold to discuss and review. This will be entirely practice-based, and participants must be willing to bring a de-identified plan and provide feedback to others. Participants will work in small groups led by a SHP CSS staff. Each participant will present their plan, ask questions, and receive feedback and suggestions from those in their group. CSS programs should limit registration to 1 to 2 staff.
The CSS IRP Development Workshop will be remote and held live through Zoom on Wednesday, March 23 from 9:30 am until 12:00 pm. Space is limited, so licensed staff and RN’s should register as soon as possible. Registration information must be for the staff attending the training.
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DCM Associates Free Spring Webinar Series
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The DCM Associates Spring 2022 Webinar Series will address some of the most important topics on your agenda!
Who should attend?
Board members, CEOs, c-suite executives and human resources executives from nonprofit organizations, foundations, and nonprofit business and trade associations.
Why attend?
Each session is an opportunity to learn from our experts, and to ask them what your top concerns are.
Admission is free but registration is required.
March 23, 2022 @ 1:00 p.m. (EDT)
Gregory Nielsen, Managing Director
March 30, 2022 @ 1:00 p.m. (EDT)
Dennis C. Miller, Founder & Chairman
April 6, 2022 @ 1:00 p.m. (EDT)
Susan Hairston, Managing Director
Dr. James McGuirk, Managing Director
Dr. Yvonne Styles, Managing Director
April 28, 2022 @ 1:00 p.m. (EDT)
Dennis C. Miller, Founder & Chairman
May 18, 2022 @ 1:00 p.m. (EDT)
Dennis C. Miller, Founder & Chairman
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There are many great ways of supporting SHA: Join as a member, send donations, or shop with AmazonSmile. Thank you for your support!
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Want all the member benefits with SHA? Visit our website or contact Joseph Christensen to apply or manage your membership.
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Members can post jobs to find applicants within the wider supportive housing community. Click on the button to visit our job page.
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Diane Riley, Executive Director
Joseph Christensen, Membership & Communication Manager
Kate Kelly, MSW – Integrated Community Project Manager
Kate Leahy, Housing Navigator Project Manager
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Advocate ● Educate ● Support
The Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey unites its diverse coalition of members engaging development, resources, and information to sustain supportive housing systems within New Jersey. Since 1998, our statewide mission seeks to enhance lives and accessibility to enable independent living within our communities.
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Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey
185 Valley Street, South Orange, NJ 07079
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