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In this Week's Edition
News
President Biden Delivers
State Of The Union Address
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HUD Announces Resources For Advancing
Housing Protections For Survivors Of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence,
Sexual Assault, And Stalking
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HUD Seeks Feedback On Proposed Rulemaking On Section 8 Project-Based
Rental Assistance Programs
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NJ Section 8 Vouchers:
141,000 Applied For 20,000 Open Spots
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New Report Shows National
Analysis Of Tenant Protections
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DMHAS Grant:
Open Access in Homeless Shelters
For Opioid Use Disorder In Homeless Shelters
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Murphy Administration Pilots Lifelong
Learning Program To Empower Employment
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New Jersey Implements Statewide Increase
For Minimum Benefits Of SNAP Recipients
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SHA-NJ Seeks Participation In
Integrated Community Project Focus Group
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Water Shut-offs Continue
As Delinquent Bills Come Due
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Newark Expanding Housing For Homeless
With Retrofitted Modular Shipping Containers
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DHS Offers Webinar On Newly Released Regulations For Community Residences
For Individuals With I/DD
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Public Health Emergency
Declaration To End On May 11th
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ANCHOR Tax Relief Deadline
Extended To February 28th
New Eligibility For Homeowners
and Renters in PILOT Housing
Resources & Virtual Forums
FHLBNY Opens Training Sessions On
The Affordable Housing Program (AHP) General Fund and the Homebuyer
Dream Program® (HDP)
February 15, 2023
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CSH And Capital Impact Partners Virtual Event How Supportive Housing Can Leverage Assisted Living Programs To
Promote Aging In Place
February 28, 2023
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Arc of New Jersey Webinar Series
Exploring Mental Health And Behavioral
Health Challenges In People With IDD
February 28, 2023 - June 2023
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Members can check
for 2023 meeting dates
on the SHA website.
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Next SHA
Developers Meeting
March 13, 2023
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Next SHA
Members Meeting
April 5, 2023
In-Person, Trenton
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Save the Date
HCDNNJ Summit
Healthy Homes & Communities Summit Coming April 28
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A special shout out to our Integrated Community Project, which has been nominated for a New Jersey Social Innovation Award. This nomination is in the category of Legislative Impact as the work of the ICP seeks to support policy reforms in the goal to improve service delivery and reduce barriers to care. Public voting for all the awards concludes on Friday, February 10th. | |
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SHA Welcomes New & Returning
Members In 2023
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President Biden Delivers State Of The Union Address | |
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On Tuesday, President Biden stood before Congress to deliver the latest State of the Union Address. In reviewing areas most important to our reader community, areas of healthcare costs, infrastructure, and tax reform led the evening. Additionally, a firm stand in support of maintaining Medicare and Social Security garnered much attention during the speech.
The past years have seen promising developments and focus on actions for fair and affordable housing, and we look forward to more updates on that over the coming year.
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HUD Announces Resources For Advancing
Housing Protections For Survivors Of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, And Stalking
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HUD has announced new resources to advance housing protections for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). These resources include a new VAWA website, a Notice setting out HUD’s enforcement authority under VAWA, and up to $5 million in funding to provide VAWA training and technical assistance to HUD grantees and other stakeholders.
Under VAWA, applicants and tenants of certain HUD rental assistance programs may not be denied housing, evicted, or have their housing assistance terminated because they have experienced domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Additionally, survivors must be able to access certain remedies, such as the ability to request an emergency transfer for safety reasons related to the violence.
View the full press release on HUD.gov.
VAWA Interim Guidance and Comment Period
The VAWA 2022 Federal Register Notice provides interim guidance regarding implementing VAWA 2022 for HUD grantees that have VAWA housing obligations. It also poses a few questions for the public concerning VAWA implementation. The 60-day notice-and-comment period expires on March 6, 2023.
Training and Resources
VAWA related resources, tools, and training will continue to be posted on the HUD Exchange as they become available.
Upcoming Webinar Series:
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HUD Seeks Feedback On Proposed Rulemaking On Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance Programs | |
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HUD published Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) in the Federal Register as a first step to solicit input for the future development of a standardized regulation for Section 8 project-based rental assistance programs. The ANPRM poses 11 specific questions and solicits general comments on this proposal.
To reduce regulatory complexities, The Office of Multifamily Housing Programs (MFH) envisions promulgating a single Section 8 project-based rental assistance program regulation consisting of a standardized set of Section 8 program requirements and a single form of section 524 renewal contract.
Comment Due Date: April 3, 2023
1. Submission of Comments by Mail. Members of the public may submit comments by mail to the Regulations Division, Office of General Counsel, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW, Room 10276, Washington, DC 20410-0500. Due to security measures at all federal agencies, however, submission of comments by standard mail often results in delayed delivery. To ensure timely receipt of comments, HUD recommends that comments submitted by standard mail be submitted at least two weeks in advance of the deadline. HUD will make all comments received by mail available to the public at https://www.regulations.gov.
2. Electronic Submission of Comments. Interested persons may submit comments electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov. HUD strongly encourages commenters to submit comments electronically. Electronic submission of comments allows the commenter maximum time to prepare and submit a comment, ensures timely receipt by HUD, and enables HUD to make comments immediately available to the public. Comments submitted electronically through the www.regulations.gov website can be viewed by other commenters and interested members of the public. Commenters should follow the instructions provided on that site to submit comments electronically.
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More than 141,000 households applied for the estimated 20,000 spots on a competitive statewide waitlist to secure a coveted Section 8 voucher to help them afford housing in New Jersey. That's more than seven times the spots that were available for the federally funded program, also known as Housing Choice Vouchers, that limits what low-income families need to spend on housing expenses to roughly a third of their paychecks, with the government subsidizing the rest owed to landlords.The application was open for nearly three weeks, with certain New Jerseyans receiving priority placement on the waiting list, including veterans and their spouses, people experiencing homelessness, domestic violence survivors and people with disabilities. People who secured spots will be notified via email. Applicants can also check their status online after Feb. 24 at WaitlistCheck.com/NJ559.
On the day the application period opened, some people could not access the webpage because so many residents tried to log in at the same time.
The Department of Community Affairs, the statewide agency administering the program, worked with a software company to increase the bandwidth and said the website was functioning the next day.
In the first 24 hours, families submitted more than 36,000 applications — almost double the number of waitlist spots available. Residents submitted a total of 141,413 applications while it was open.
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New Report Shows National
Analysis Of Tenant Protections
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Freddie Mac’s Multifamily Division released a national comparative analysis of state-level tenant protections. The analysis is focused on a group of key areas across the renting experience, including tenant screening, pre-eviction protections, right to counsel and eviction diversion programs. The report highlights several key trends and outliers in how states address tenant protections, including that seven states have laws prohibiting a landlord's use of certain information, such as a tenant's criminal history, when screening tenants; three states have have state-wide anti-gouging or rent stabilization policies; 44 states have laws that prohibit eviction or other forms of retaliation by landlords in response to a tenant's exercise of their legal rights; and three states grant certain tenants a right to counsel in an eviction proceeding.
Click here to access the full report on tenant protections
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DMHAS Grant:
Open Access in Homeless Shelters
For Opioid Use Disorder In Homeless Shelters
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Grant Title: Open Access in Homeless Shelters for Opioid Use Disorder in Homeless Shelters
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 increase access to buprenorphine and other ancillary services for individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD) through current programming available at homeless shelters that are licensed by New Jersey Department of Community Affairs' Bureau of Rooming and Boarding House Standards and outlined in state regulation NJAC 5:15. These providers will develop the capacity to provide medication and support services for individuals who reside or drop in at homeless shelters. The intent of the program is to provide low threshold medication services to individuals with a SUD who present in these settings.
The successful bidder to this RFP will initiate medication for SUD and maintain the individual on that medication or transition the individual to a community provider, including, but not limited to: an Office Based Addictions Treatment (OBAT) provider or licensed treatment provider that can administer buprenorphine and other medications for SUD, as well as deliver the appropriate level of counseling, or other appropriate support service. There will be no gaps in medication, caused by the provider or providers, for individuals served in this program. It is expected that providers will use funds for all of the following (1) identify and designate a Champion within the homeless shelter who will lead the shelter’s efforts to provide medication for SUD; (2) initiate same-day medications; (3) contract or employ staff with the credentials to prescribe medications; (4) contract or employ case/care managers, and peers, to connect and engage patients in treatment and social services and to assist patients with care transitions; (5) create a welcoming and non-stigmatizing atmosphere for individuals seeking medications; (6) provide naloxone as an overdose prevention medication; (7) connect individuals to an affiliated Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) for the treatment of physical and mental health concerns and chronic pain; and (8) implement harm reductions strategies and interventions to address SUDs, primarily opioid use disorder (OUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Click here for the NOFA and how to apply https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmhas/provider/funding/
No Mandatory Bidders Conference.
Questions on RFP Due Date – no later than 4:00 p.m. ET on February 15, 2023
Intent to Apply / DHS SFTP Login Credentials Due Date – no later than 4:00 p.m. ET on March 24, 2023
Proposal Due Date – no later than 4:00 p.m. ET on March 31, 2023
Notify Date – April 28, 2023
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Murphy Administration Pilots Lifelong
Learning Program To Empower Employment
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TRENTON – In partnership with the Office of Governor Phil Murphy, the Office of Innovation and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) have teamed up to fund a two-year pilot program to provide job-coaching, training, and employment support to jobless and chronically underemployed residents who do not have college degrees or workplace credentials.
The novel Lifelong Learning Accounts (LiLA) program – part of Governor Murphy’s Future of Work initiative – is built on the idea of empowering participants to drive their own career development, helping them secure the training and supportive services they need to find and keep sustainable employment. The LiLA Grant program, managed by NJDOL, will provide funding to organizations who will recruit and deliver services to LiLA participants.
The $10 million program was conceived to promote equitable opportunities, upward mobility, and economic fairness. It is designed to help participants overcome barriers to gainful, permanent employment in part by making stipends for wrap-around services such as child care and transportation available to those who need them in order to complete a training course or succeed at work. The integration of career coaching, professional mentoring, and up-to-date information on labor market trends provide critical support to participants as they advance their careers. Participants’ career plans will be tailored to their individual goals and needs. The two-year pilot program starts in March and ends in 2025.
Eligible applicants for the LiLA Grant can be a non-profit or for-profit entity, a government agency, or an institute of higher education. Grantees are expected to identify and serve at least 100 low-income adults who have been unemployed for six months or more or are significantly underemployed, but are willing and able to complete training and obtain work.
Approved grantees will receive up to $750,000 per year contingent upon meeting the grant’s performance goals and expenditures. Each resident accepted into the program will receive a lifelong learning account of $9,600 that they can use for training, career development, childcare, and other expenses related to gaining meaningful employment.
Important dates associated with the LILA grant:
Application due date: March 10
Technical Assistance Workshop: February 15
Grants Awarded: March 31
Performance Period: April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2025
View the full Notice of Grant Opportunity here.
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New Jersey Implements Statewide Increase For
Minimum Benefits Of SNAP Recipients
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WOODBRIDGE – With households throughout America set to receive as low as $23 in monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits when the federal government’s emergency allotments come to an end next month, Governor Phil Murphy on Wednesday signed a bill (A-5086) to ensure every SNAP household in New Jersey will receive at least $95 in monthly benefits going forward. This nation-leading legislation represents New Jersey’s ongoing commitment to combating food insecurity throughout the state.
The federal government began providing emergency allotments to SNAP households in March 2020 to offer a temporary boost in food assistance benefits to individuals and families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. With these additional payments ending as of February 28, 2023, this legislation will raise the minimum SNAP benefit in New Jersey to $95 starting March 1. This represents a $45 increase over the initial State minimum benefit of $50 put into place for SNAP recipients when Governor Murphy and the NJ Legislature established the State SNAP Minimum Benefit Program last year.
If a New Jersey household is approved for less than $95 in monthly SNAP benefits, they will receive their regular federal benefit plus an additional State supplement to bring them to this new minimum. Although most households will still see some reduction in their benefits, implementing an increased minimum benefit will help soften the impact of the emergency allotments coming to an end.
Last month, DHS rolled out a robust communication and public awareness campaign that included webinars and training to frontline staff, SNAP navigators, food access community organizations, legislative offices, materials for distribution in over 20 languages and videos in English, Spanish and American Sign Language. Materials are available for download here. DHS will mail letters explaining the benefit change to all SNAP households starting next week.
SNAP recipients are encouraged to check their benefit detail any time online at www.njfamiliesfirst.com, with the Connect EBT mobile app, or by calling (800) 997-3333. The Administration will continue to work with stakeholders to spread the word and inform residents about how they can maximize their benefits, such as applying for any additional assistance for which they may be eligible. For more information about additional food resources, visit nj211.org/food-programs-and-community-resources or text your zip code to 898-211. Individuals and families can apply for SNAP online, in-person or by calling their local board of social services, or through a SNAP Navigator.
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SHA-NJ Seeks Participation In
Integrated Community Project Focus Group
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SHA-NJ Seeks Participation In
Integrated Community Project Focus Group
What is the Integrated Community Project?
The Integrated Community Project (ICP) is a project to expand the opportunities for people with disabilities and/or barriers to become fully involved in the activities of daily life in their cities and towns. To continue this work, SHA-NJ will gather perspectives from people with disabilities living in our communities. Click here for a downloadable flyer and description of the focus groups and how to apply to join. Applicants must live or work in Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, Camden, Cumberland, Middlesex, Ocean, Somerset, and/or Union Counties.
What questions will be asked in the focus group?
Click here for a list a of focus group questions
How many virtual focus groups will there be?
There will be two virtual focus groups between:
- Wednesday, February 22 – Friday, March 3, 2023.
Focus group participants will receive a gift card as a thank you for their time.
How to join the ICP Focus Group
Applicants must complete & submit the focus group survey of interest in the link below, or email Kate Kelly at kate.kelly@shanj.org.
Click on this Google Forms link to apply to join the focus group:
https://forms.gle/WtacUwKHtKXZeVL86
Please apply by Wednesday, February 15, 2023.
Step 3: Notifications
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All applicants will receive notification by Tuesday, February 21, 2023 on whether or not you have been chosen to participate.
- We will convene two virtual focus groups
- We will work to select participants who ensure that a variety of disabilities and barriers are represented within each focus group.
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Water Shut-offs Continue As Delinquent Bills Come Due | |
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Across New Jersey, an estimated 144,000 families need assistance paying back water bills, but fewer than 12,000 have applied for the available federal aid. Advocates fear the state will leave millions in unspent grant money on the table unless it boosts enrollment in the program and payouts.
The state Department of Community Affairs, which administers the LIHWAP program, says it plans to launch a new marketing campaign to heighten awareness and expend the funds by the Sept 30th deadline.
To check eligibility for assistance in paying a water bill, visit:
https://www.nj211.org/water-assistance-programs.
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Newark Expanding Housing For Homeless
With Retrofitted Modular Shipping Containers
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DHS Offers Webinar on Newly Released Regulations For Community Residences For Individuals With I/DD | |
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The DHS Office of Licensing, within the Office of Program Integrity and Accountability, is offering a webinar on February 14th to review recent changes published in the New Jersey Register to N.J.A.C. 10:44A Standards for Community Residences for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and N.J.A.C. 10:44C Standards for Community Residences for Persons with Head Injuries for interested stakeholders. Please register using the below information:
Topic: Overview of Changes to N.J.A.C. 10:44A Standards for Community Residences for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and N.J.A.C. 10:44C Standards for Community Residences for Persons with Head Injuries
Date/Time: February 14, 2023 from 10:30am to 12pm.
Registration Link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6734411292462181722
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Public Health Emergency Declaration To End On May 11th | |
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The Biden-Harris Administration outlined its plans to shift away from pandemic-related emergency declarations. In a Statement of Administration Policy (SAP) issued on January 30, the White House announced that it will extend both the COVID-19 national emergency and PHE on March 1 and April 11, respectively. As of now, the Administration plans to extend the emergency declarations to May 11, and then end both measures on that date. The conclusion of the PHE marks the cessation of several temporary authorities afforded by the declaration. For additional details on the health-related policies and programs that are set to wind down, click here.
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ANCHOR Tax Relief Deadline Extended To February 28th
New Eligibility For Homeowners and Renters in PILOT Housing
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Attention ANCHOR Applicants
The deadline for filing your ANCHOR benefit application is January 31, 2023.
Important Update: The extension now includes a provision allowing homeowners or tenants living in units which make Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) to be eligible for this program. This could potentially benefit many seniors or people with disabilities. More details will follow and we will update you as we know more.
ANCHOR benefits will roll out in the late Spring of 2023. ANCHOR payments will be paid in the form of a direct deposit or check, not as credits to property tax bills. Homeowners who filed a homestead benefit application last year may be able to obtain their ID and PIN numbers online. Tenants do not need an ID or PIN number to file. Visit the Division’s ANCHOR page for all filing information. Due to high call volume, the ANCHOR and Homestead Benefit Hotline may be unable to take your call at certain times. If that occurs, please try your call at another time. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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More than three million residents are eligible for up to $1,500 in property tax relief under the ANCHOR program.
To be eligible for this year's benefit, you must have occupied your primary residence on October 1st, 2019. The deadline for filing is now January 31st, 2023. ANCHOR replaces the Homestead Benefit program.
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Homeowners
You are considered a homeowner if, on October 1, 2019, you:
- Owned a house,
- Owned a condominium and paid property taxes on your unit;
- Were a resident shareholder of a cooperative housing complex;
- Were a resident of a continuing care retirement community and your continuing care contract requires you to pay the proportionate share of property taxes attributable to your unit.
You may not qualify if your residence was completely exempt from paying property taxes.
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Tenants
You are considered a tenant if, on October 1, 2019, you:
- Rented an apartment, condominium, or house;
- Rented or owned a mobile home located in a mobile home park.
You may not qualify if you lived in tax-exempt, subsidized, or campus housing.
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Resources & Virtual Forums | |
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FHLBNY Opens Training Sessions On
The Affordable Housing Program (AHP) General Fund
and the Homebuyer Dream Program® (HDP)
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The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY) is pleased to announce the publication of its 2023 Targeted Community Lending Plan and the Affordable Housing Program Implementation Plan. These documents describe the credit and affordable housing needs in the FHLBNY’s district and the specific criteria for the core Community Investment programs offered through FHLBNY’s members for 2023, respectively. Both are now available on the FHLBNY’s website at http://www.fhlbny.com/community.
FHLBNY will hold training sessions on the Affordable Housing Program (AHP) General Fund and the Homebuyer Dream Program® (HDP) beginning in January 2023 with the Community Investment (CI) Programs webinar. The CI Programs webinar is designed to provide our member institutions and valued housing partners with an overview of FHLBNY’s CI products as well as provide pertinent updates and deadlines for 2023. The AHP General Fund supports the acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation of affordable housing through an annual, competitive round. In its 2022 round, the FHLBNY awarded AHP funds to 30 projects, encompassing 1,732 units, for a total of $25.3 million.
Training for both the AHP and the HDP will occur on the following dates:
Affordable Housing Program General Fund Training Session
· Wednesday February 15, 2023, 9:00 – 11:00 AM Virtual Event (All Regions)
Homebuyer Dream Program Training Sessions
· Wednesday February 15, 2023, 2:00 – 4:00 PM Virtual Event (All Regions)
Please join us and learn how we can assist you in financing your next housing initiative by clicking the link above to register for the session you wish to attend. If you have questions regarding the upcoming training sessions, please email ahp@fhlbny.com or hdp@fhlbny.com.
Lastly, members can contact their Relationship Manager at 212-441-6700 to schedule an individual session on the FHLBNY’s suite of Community Investment programs and products.
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CSH & Capital Impact Partners
Survey And Virtual Event
How Supportive Housing Can Leverage
Assisted Living Programs To Promote Aging In Place
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February 28, 2023 | 10:00AM ET
CSH and Capital Impact Partners are seeking input from the supportive housing field around the needs of aging clients, challenges when serving the aging population, and difficulties faced in retaining older adults in housing. During this brainstorming session, they will discuss methods in which the supportive housing field can better collaborate with assisted living programs (ALPs), to promote aging in place.
If you are a New Jersey supportive housing developer, service provider, or property manager, join a virtual brainstorming session to share your input and expertise.
Before the event, please fill out our survey to help prepare for the virtual brainstorming session and discussion.
After completing the survey, register for the event here.
This virtual event is hosted in partnership with Capital Impact Partners.
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Arc of New Jersey Webinar Series
Exploring Mental Health And Behavioral
Health Challenges In People With IDD
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The Mainstreaming Medical Care Program of The Arc of New Jersey is pleased to present the 2023 webinar series:
Exploring Mental Health and Behavioral Health Challenges in People with IDD
This 5-part webinar series will examine the issue of dual diagnosis - co-occurring mental health and/or behavioral health disorders in persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Topics will include diagnosis, treatment options, best practice, etc.
Join us the 4th Tuesday of every month, February through June, for this informative series.
WEBINAR #1
Unpacking the Complexities of Dual Diagnosis (Mental Illness and Intellectual and Developmental Disability)
Although mental health concerns are not uncommon among individuals with IDD, they are difficult to diagnose and treat. This webinar will include considerations for the diagnosis and non-pharmacological treatment of mental health concerns for individuals with IDD and serve as an introduction to The Arc of NJ's series on dual diagnosis.
Presenter:
Lucille Esralew, Ph.D., NADD-CC
Senior Psychologist Supervisor and Clinical Lead of the Clinical Services Branch
Office of Statewide Clinical Services, California Department of Developmental Services
When:
Tuesday, February 28, 2023, 12:00 - 1:30 pm
Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4755945671127524960
Questions? Email conference@arcnj.org.
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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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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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