New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency

Christie Administration's Special Needs Housing Partnership Loan Program (SNHPLP) Receives National Recognition

For Immediate Release:
July 22, 2014
Contact:
Tammori Petty
,
Lisa Ryan
609-292-6055
New Jersey is One of Five States Recognized by The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation for State Initiatives that Increase the Supply of Affordable Housing Options for People with Disabilities

TRENTON, N.J. – The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA), an affiliate of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), together with the Department of Human Services and its Division of Developmental Disabilities (DHS/DDD) was recently recognized in The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, Money Follows the Person: A 2013 State Survey of Transitions, Services and Costs for the Special Needs Housing Partnership Loan Program (SNHPLP). The report, prepared by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, showcased SNPLP as a model to increase the supply of affordable housing options for people with disabilities.

SNHPLP is designed to provide financing to create permanent supportive housing and community residences for individuals with developmental disabilities. This initiative aligns with the State of New Jersey’s goal to help integrate people with special needs into the community.

“This recognition of the housing opportunities created for New Jersey residents with developmental disabilities through SNHPLP demonstrates that we have been able to successfully respond to the changing needs of the people we serve,” said DCA Commissioner Richard E. Constable, III, who also serves as Chairman of the HMFA. “Governor Christie is committed to initiatives that help to integrate the special needs population into communities throughout the state and has adopted this innovative program to further this objective.”

SNHPLP financing is used for the acquisition and rehabilitation of 3-4 bedroom single-family ranch style-houses and/or first floor 3-4 bedroom condominiums. In addition to the SNHPLP funding DHS/DDD provides subsidy funding for sprinkler systems, social services and rental assistance. To date, 43 projects have been financed containing a total of 171 beds. There are an additional 14 projects with 52 bedrooms in the SNHPLP pipeline. The projects are located in 41 municipalities in 17 counties.

“This administration is committed to expanding community-based programs and services for people with developmental disabilities,” said DHS Commissioner Jennifer Velez. “The SNHPLP serves as an exceptional tool for us to increase community living options that give people with intellectual and developmental disabilities a range of opportunities that were not previously available.”

As part of this initiative, SNHPLP helps municipalities utilize the monies in Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) accounts to create housing for people with developmental disabilities. The SNHPLP also enables municipalities to leverage their AFTF funds with matching a municipal commitment of funds with financing available through the HMFA and DCA.

Under SNHPLP, residents receive customized supportive services designed to meet each resident’s needs. The services provide the training and support needed to enable the residents to become self-sufficient.

“One of our priorities is to create safe, decent, and affordable housing in close proximity to public transit, social amenities, and jobs for individuals with developmental disabilities,” said HMFA Executive Director Anthony L. Marchetta. “I am pleased that HMFA played a key role in this program, as it represents our mission of increasing the availability of housing and advancing the Olmstead Initiative.”

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.

For more information on the SNHPLP visit the HMFA website at www.njhousing.gov or call 1-800-NJ-HOUSE or (609) 278-7400.

To read the full report, please visit:

http://kaiserfamilyfoundation.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/8581-money-follows-the-person_a-2013-survey-of-transitions-services-and-costs.pdf