In this Week's Edition
News
SHA Lunch & Learn - February 23, 2022
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SHA Releases Integrated Community
Project Video on Inclusion
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HUD Releases Part One of
2021 Annual Homeless Assessment Report
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In Case You Missed It: Medicaid
Approval In New Jersey Leads to
Promise of Innovative Housing Investment
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NJ Has An Affordable Housing Problem,
Here's What Experts Say Needs To Be Done
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House NJ Campaign: ‘Build Back Better’ by
Addressing Housing Affordability and Security
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Affordable Housing Gap Subsidy
Loan Program Update With
Guidelines, Checklist, and UNIAP
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Applications Now Open for Emergency
Rescue Mortgage Assistance Program
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New Jersey Economic Development
Authority Announces Applications
for Small Business Improvement Grant
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New Jersey Citizen Action
Eviction Protection Program and Flyers
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Place Your Order for
Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
Resources & Virtual Forums
The NJAAW Housing Series Webinars
February 2022
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Trainings from the NJ Division on Civil Rights
January 2022 - February 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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SHA Welcomes New Members In 2022 |
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SHA Releases Integrated Community
Project Video on Inclusion
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Over the course of the Integrated Community Project, we've spent time listening to people in three counties share their perspectives on community involvement based on their experiences with disabilities or barriers. You can see our short video sharing their words and learn the important role that inclusion plays in having a fulfilled life in our communities. We hope these perspectives will help enhance and guide future efforts across the state to understand and address the need for inclusion at all levels and give everyone a seat at the table.
We thank everyone who participated in the creation of this ICP video project. This initiative was funded by an Inclusive Healthy Communities Grant from the Division of Disability Services, New Jersey Department of Human Services.
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SHA Lunch & Learn - February 23, 2022 |
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Green Energy Growing Housing Opportunities
February 23, 2022 – 12:00-1:00 PM EDT
The Garden State is growing its green economy and helping low- and middle- income (LMI) residents become part of this environmental progress. Join us for our next Lunch and Learn on February 23rd as SHA Member Solar Landscape describes the community, environmental, and housing benefits that are all part of The Community Solar Energy Pilot Program.
With over 135,000 solar installations, the Garden State is No. 1 in the country for installed solar capacity per square mile, and according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory has the most planned community solar capacity serving LMI households. Tune in to learn how to reduce electricity costs for tenants and fight climate change without additional costs or property alterations!
Registration Open
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HUD Releases Part One of
2021 Annual Homeless Assessment Report
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HUD released Part One of its 2021 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress. The report found that more than 326,000 people experienced homelessness in the United States on a single night in 2021, a decrease of eight percent, from 2020. “Sheltered homelessness” refers to people experiencing homelessness who were found in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or other temporary settings. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, HUD waived the requirement for communities to conduct the count of unsheltered homelessness in 2021. In January 2021, 138 communities, 36 percent of all communities, conducted full unsheltered counts and an additional 72 communities conducted a partial count, in which total unsheltered counts were reported but not household or demographic characteristics. Therefore, 2021 AHAR Report – Part One is only able to provide national estimates on sheltered homelessness and findings on unsheltered homelessness only from the communities that conducted unsheltered counts.
While the overall number in homelessness appears to have declined in New Jersey since the point in time count was started in 2007, the challenges faced through the pandemic and other factors may impact the data now and well into the future.
In conjunction with the publishing of the AHAR, the Continuum of Care (CoC) Population and Subpopulation Reports are now available on the HUD Exchange. These reports are based on data collected by CoCs during the last 10 days in January and are available at the national and state levels and for each CoC.
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In Case You Missed It: Medicaid Approval In New Jersey Leads to Promise of Innovative Housing Investment |
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The latest approvals represent a combined state and federal investment of $144.6 million over three years. The plan partly uses federal matching dollars through the American Rescue Plan to benefit NJ FamilyCare members. NJ FamilyCare is New Jersey’s Medicaid program.
In October, the federal government approved Department plans to invest $634 million in state and federal money to bolster home and community-based Medicaid services for older adults and individuals with disabilities, so this new round of approval boosts the total new investment over the next three years to about $780 million.
Among the approved plans:
- $53 million plan to develop 100 deed-restricted, subsidized and accessible rental units for NJ FamilyCare beneficiaries across the state. Repair and replacement reserve funds will ensure that the housing remains affordable and dedicated to Medicaid beneficiaries for the 30-year life of the unit.
- A $2 million investment in person-centered planning, which is an important tool in enabling and assisting people to identify and access the services and supports they need. Such planning provides a strong foundation for fulfilling a person’s needs, preference and goals.
SHA applauds this important step in providing access to healthy homes to those in our communities who are most in need of Home and Community Based Services. We look forward to working together to support NJ Medicaid to make the most of this ground breaking investment.
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NJ Has An Affordable Housing Problem,
Here's What Experts Say Needs To Be Done
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On February 3, 2022 homeless shelter officials, lawyers, and housing advocates spoke before an Assembly Housing Committee hearing that focused on New Jersey’s eviction and homelessness crises, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Jersey does not have enough affordable housing. Shelters are barely treading water. People at risk of eviction don’t know where to get help. Families are suffering. These were among the repeated refrains from the hearing Lawmakers are repeatedly heralding a renewed focus on "affordability" this session, and housing is one of the largest expenses a family faces. Here are the most pressing housing problems plaguing the state, progress being made to help families, and suggestions experts shared to address housing instability:
Shelters are struggling
Homeless shelters are losing money, capacity and workers — all while serving a more distressed group of people, said Connie Mercer, CEO of Mercer County-based nonprofit HomeFront and a member of the Shelter Providers Consortium, which consists of 110 shelters across the state.
Not enough housing or access to resources
In New Jersey, 3,876 individuals experiencing homelessness have been approved for housing assistance programs, but there are no apartments available to them.
“The core challenge in New Jersey is not particularly unique or new — there are not enough affordable homes,” said Sarah Steward, chief operating officer for HomeFront. “For years our families have been participating in what feels like a big game of musical chairs, searching for the few limited affordable places for themselves and their children. COVID-19 was the moment when the music stopped and it became even more obvious that there were not enough seats or enough homes to go around.”
In 2021, New Jersey saw three times more people fall into homelessness than those who left homelessness and found permanent housing, said Taiisa Kelly, CEO of Monarch Housing Associates, a nonprofit that organizes the state’s annual homeless count.
Evictions resumed
Legal Services of New Jersey is receiving a “sharp increase” in calls from people looking for help because they are about to be evicted, said Chief Counsel Maura Sanders.
Many of the clients were unaware they even had an eviction case against them until a constable showed up at their door, Sanders said. Attorneys are concerned that the renters they talked to were unaware of renter protections and rental assistance available, and by the time they discovered the programs, there wasn’t money left. Large rent increases are also forcing out tenants as landlords try to collect more money and recoup lost payments during the eviction moratorium, said Staci Berger, CEO of the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey. (NorthJersey.com, February 4, 2022)
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House NJ Campaign: ‘Build Back Better’ by
Addressing Housing Affordability and Security
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The House NJ campaign is built on the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s effort. HoUSed, which advances anti-racist policies to achieve the large-scale, sustained investments and reforms necessary so that households with the lowest incomes have an affordable place to call home. Specifically, the campaign calls on Congress to:
- Expand rental assistance to additional extremely low-income households, including those experiencing and at risk of homelessness.
- Increase the National Housing Trust Fund to build affordable, safe homes for households with the greatest needs.
- Repair and preserve public housing, which is home to 2.5 million residents across the country. Public housing is critical to ensuring people with the greatest needs have a safe, decent, affordable, and accessible place to call home, and the preservation of this community asset must be included in any strategy to ensure housing is a human right.
House NJ also seeks policy and program interventions on the state level urging Governor Murphy and legislative leaders to invest $975 million from the American Rescue Plan in critical housing programs including:
- Protect and Expand the NJ Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Funding for this item must remain in place and grow. The AHTF should continue to serve NJ’s lower-wealth residents and not be diverted for any other purposes.
- Increase the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit. The Neighborhood RevitalizationTax Credit (NRTC) is one of the most successful and responsible tax credit programs in NJ.
- Strengthen Rental Assistance and End Homelessness. This includes expanding project-based vouchers for the State Rental Assistance Program, addressing chronic homelessness and extending emergency rental assistance.
- Remove Barriers to Housing Access & Security. Policymakers can make it easier for NJ residents to find and keep stable, affordable homes by adopting innovative changes. These include: removing credit scores for voucher holders, allowing families and communities to purchase foreclosed properties to preserve wealth, adopting a first-generation homeownership program, and more.
These reasons are why SHA is supporting the launch of "House NJ," The Network's new initiative to ensure housing security and stability for all NJ residents. Click here to urge our public officials at every level of government to invest crucial resources to create more homes that are safe and affordable, expand rental assistance and protect our most vulnerable neighbors. Together, we can "House NJ"!
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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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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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New Jersey Economic Development Authority Announces
Applications for Small Business Improvement Grant
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Funded with $15 million, this product will reimburse eligible small businesses and nonprofits for up to 50 percent of eligible project costs associated with building improvements or the purchase and/or installation of new furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FFE) made on or after March 9, 2020, but no more than two years prior to application. The maximum grant award will be $50,000 per business entity for the life of this program.
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New Jersey Citizen Action
Eviction Protection Program and Flyers
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GET SELF-CERTIFIED TO QUALIFY FOR EVICTION PROTECTION
New Jersey now provides protections for those who faced hardships during the pandemic!
• Act now! Protection is not automatic
• You must complete the Income Self-Certification to be protected
• Protection offered regardless of immigration status
CONTACT
Program information flyers available in
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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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The NJAAW Housing Series Webinars |
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Tune in to see Diane Riley, SHA Executive Director on February 16th!
As those of us in the aging field know, there is not one large leap from living in complete independence to assisted living. There are many steps and options along a continuum of needs, finances, preferences and opportunities. NJAAW's four-part Housing Series will examine each step along this continuum. With a range of experts in the field, we will review housing needs from the perspective of the older adult and their family.
This series will be aired online
Wednesdays in February at 4 p.m. ET
February 9 - Session 2: Help in the Home
- Recognizing that you need help to stay in your home is important. This session will discuss how to find health aides, adult day care, when to bring in help and how to pay for it.
February 16 - Session 3: Senior Residential Options
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After breaking down stereotypes of housing options for retirees, this session will define independent vs. assisted living, skilled nursing, LTC and the range of options available. Watch this installment to see a perspective offered by SHA's own Executive Director, Diane Riley.
February 23 - Session 4: Policy & Plans for New and Innovative Solutions
- Looking forward, what is on the horizon for housing in NJ? ADUs, co-housing, supportive housing? What are new plans? What is needed?
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Trainings from the NJ Division on Civil Rights |
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The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination:
Cultivating a Discrimination-Free Workplace
For NJ Employers and Employees
All employees are entitled to a workplace that is inclusive and free from discrimination. This training will provide an overview of how the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) protects employees from harassment and discrimination. Through case studies and other interactive exercises, participants will examine the rights afforded to all employees and the responsibilities of employers to protect those rights. Topics include what constitutes a hostile work environment, workplace accommodation requirements, employer liability, and reporting processes. Participants will also explore the ways in which implicit biases can lead to discrimination, and how to foster respectful environments in which discrimination and harassment are not tolerated.
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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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