CAMDEN, N.J. – October 22, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Representatives of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) today joined local officials to break ground on John O. Parker, Jr. Hall, a 77-unit affordable housing apartment building located in the Centerville Retirement Community at the corner of 7th Street and Ferry Avenue in the Centerville section of the City of Camden. The HMFA, an affiliate of the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), and the DCA itself are providing an estimated combined total of nearly $5 million in support from various resources for the project.
“Parker Hall is exemplary of Governor Corzine’s efforts to ensure good, affordable housing for New Jersey’s senior citizens, disabled residents and hardworking families. Future tenants will be offered a complete social services package that includes a host of medical services, counseling, transportation and case management,” said DCA Acting Commissioner Charles A. Richman. “The City of Camden should be proud of Parker Hall and the assistance it will provide the city’s seniors.”
Parker Hall will be a four-story, mid-rise building of one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments for seniors. The apartments will feature wood floors in the living rooms and wall-to-wall carpeting throughout the remainder of the unit; air conditioning and gas-fired HVAC systems; emergency nurse’s pull cords and grab bars; and kitchens with a full appliance package. In addition, all apartments are designed to meet the New Jersey Green Homes Program standards. Green features include:
Elimination of VOC paints, adhesives and sealants;
Recycled, low VOC material carpeting;
Natural linoleum; and
Specification of highly-efficient mechanical systems and appliances, which achieve whole-house Energy Star compliance and certification.
“This project is part of the Centerville Redevelopment Plan, which is aimed at overturning two decades of blight and systemic disinvestment in the Centerville community,” said HMFA Executive Director Marge Della Vecchia. “The HMFA is committed to revitalizing Camden neighborhoods by supporting terrific projects like Parker House.”
The units will be limited to tenants who earn no more than 50% of the Camden County median income. Parker Hall will allow seniors to age in place by offering handicap accessible apartments and by providing important social services such as a full-time case manager who will be responsible for linking tenants with area service providers such as mental health counselors, medical care provided through CAMcare, transportation, legal advocacy and substance abuse programs. The Ingerman Group, the development company that is working with Antioch Baptist Church on the project, is also collaborating with Senior Citizens United Community Services of Camden County to provide services to the elderly such as weekly food service through the “Meals on Wheels” Program and twice weekly transportation to the Cherry Hill Mall.
The HMFA has awarded $1.38 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) to the project. The tax credits are part of a federal program administered by the HMFA. The DCA also committed $3.58 million from the Neighborhood Preservation Balanced Housing program, which is dedicated to creating housing opportunities in viable neighborhoods for households of low and moderate income.
Other funding was furnished by the Camden Economic Recovery Board (ERB) in the amount of $385,362. The ERB, a subsidiary of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, provides a redevelopment strategy to help Camden achieve economic growth and self-sufficiency. The Housing Authority of the City of Camden committed 10-year Section 8 Project-Based Assistance for 16 of the housing units.
For more information on HMFA programs, please call 1-800-NJHOUSE or 609-278-7400, or log on to www.nj-hmfa.com.
Contact:
Lisa Ryan
(609) 292-6055
