 News from
Speaker Pro Tempore Green
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For
Release:
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Speaker Pro Tempore Jerry Green
Housing & Community
Development Committee Chair
p: 609-465-0700
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July
6, 2017
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Assemblyman Green Announces New
Housing for
Youth Aging out of Foster Care
Plainfield YMCA will Undergo
Major Rehabilitation to Include 31 New Units
(PLAINFIELD, NJ)
- Assemblyman Jerry Green announced Thursday that a portion of the Young Men’s
Christian Association (YMCA) in Plainfield will be rehabilitated into
affordable housing for youth, ages18-24, who are aging out of foster care.
The developer,
Eastern Pacific Development, LLC, anticipates construction to begin in December
2017 with an anticipated completion date of May 2019.
The $9.5 million
project includes bridge financing recently committed from the New Jersey
Housing and Mortgage Financing Agency (HMFA) during their June 27, 2017 board
meeting. The financing includes a $4.86 million permanent bridge loan from
revenue bond financing and approximately $3 million in permanent financing from
the Sandy Special Needs Housing Fund (SSNHF). Additional sources of income
include $6 million in construction financing from New Jersey Community Capital
and $500,000 in capital funds from the New Jersey Department of Community
Affairs. The borrower is also applying for 4 percent tax credits.
“I would like to
thank the State of New Jersey and congratulate YMCA President Ravenell Williams
and YMCA Board President Kieran Anderson, for working with my office on these
efforts. This is a unique housing project in Plainfield that many state
residents will benefit from. We will be home to only the second facility
in the state to provide housing for youth aging out of foster care. I couldn’t
be happier than to know that our Queen City is leading the way in providing
these life-changing services,” said Assemblyman Green
(D-Middlesex/Somerset/Union).
The existing
vacant and dilapidated units located on the second and third floors of the YMCA
property will be demolished and substantially rehabilitated to include the new
construction of 31 units, at an average of 413 square feet per unit. The
building will be also expanded by approximately 5,000 square feet. Thirty of
the efficiency units will be designated for youth aging out of foster care and
one rent-free unit set aside for the superintendent. The first and fourth
floors will remain YMCA facilities.
All units will
have private kitchens and bathrooms and Energy Star appliances. Elevator
service, a secured entrance, common laundry facilities, office space for
property management and support service functions, on-site parking, and access
to all YMCA facilities will also be offered. Additional items in the scope of
work include the installation of an elevator, replacement of roof, renovation
of downstairs lobby entrance, and new security camera system.
Case management
services will be available to the residents, including skills development,
housing, education/vocational training, physical/mental health and employment.
The project,
located in a Smart Growth Area and a Metro Planning Area, is within walking
distance to a grocery store, pharmacy, restaurants, Union County College,
social services, buses, and a train station.
Vanguard Realty
will provide property management services, with the Plainfield YMCA providing
onsite management and maintenance personnel. Security will be staffed 24/7 with
the existing security staff that presently services the building.
The proposed net
rents, set at Union County Fair Market Rents, are $1,007 per month. The project
will provide Section 8 Rental Assistance Vouchers through the Housing Authority
of Plainfield.
The developer,
Eastern Pacific Development, located in Vineland, specializes in high quality
housing, assisting municipalities in meeting their obligation to provide
affordable housing, often with the added benefit of renovating older,
deteriorating buildings into modern housing complexes. Brookfield Construction
will serve as the General Contractor.
