Affordable housing units would be for families in danger of homelessness

TRENTON, NJ – Two state agencies -- the Department of Human Services and the Department of Community Affairs -- are touting a new state program that would allow developers to receive funding for the creation of affordable rental housing units. 

Through the Healthy Homes partnership, the state is making $95 million available for developers to produce up to 200 low-rent housing units for NJ FamilyCare members who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or living in an institution. NJ FamilyCare is New Jersey’s Medicaid program.

The Department of Human Services will fund and oversee the program, ensuring it meets member needs and abides by funding requirements, while the Department of Community Affairs will support program oversight and disburse the Healthy Homes funding.

“Access to safe, stable, and affordable housing is a necessity that New Jerseyans deserve to see fulfilled, and it directly impacts an individual’s overall health and wellness,” says Governor Phil Murphy. “By making $95 million available through the Healthy Homes Initiative, we are building on the life-changing benefits made available to New Jersey families through NJ FamilyCare and taking decisive steps to bolster health and housing equity."

Burlington County State Senator Troy Singleton, who serves as the chairman of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee, called the program "an innovative way of addressing the need for more affordable, accessible housing."

"Without having a stable place to call home, the benefits provided by NJ FamilyCare would have far less impact than they otherwise could in improving health outcomes," said Singleton. "I am glad to see the establishment of this program, which represents both a holistic view of the myriad factors that play a role in the health of our citizens."

Singleton recently authored changes to New Jersey’s affordable housing reform law.

Funding for the Healthy Homes program comes from the American Rescue Plan Act and is supplemented with state funding from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Developers can use the funding for:

• Construction of new units of renovation of existing units;
• Housing needs, such as refrigerators, stoves, and bedframes; and
• Ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the unit and common infrastructure.

In addition to supporting members through the construction of Healthy Homes housing units, NJ FamilyCare also is adding Housing Support Services to members’ benefits under the program. These services will be delivered in coordination with managed care partners to support members in need of pre-tenancy and tenancy sustaining services, as well as those in need of home modifications or housing transition support. 

Authorized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) through New Jersey’s Comprehensive 1115 Demonstration Waiver, these services will be independent of the affordable units created by the Healthy Homes program, but may work together to support a member if they qualify for both programs.

The State says this program will help move NJ FamilyCare closer to the goal of whole-person care, allowing care managers to address the physical and behavioral health challenges a member may face along with their housing needs, coordinating care across the needs of the member and breaking down silos that can negatively impact health outcomes. Furthermore, the Healthy Homes program is part of expansive plans by Human Services to focus on home- and community-based care through creative approaches designed to address priorities such as housing, integrating behavioral and physical health services, and new approaches to providing care.

CLICK here to learn more about the program or here for application instructions.

Original Article