Director Frank J. DiMarco announces the Gloucester County Housing Development Corporation will receive an Affordable Housing Trust Fund grant of $4,200,000.
This award will provide funds for the project known as Rowan College of South Jersey’s Special Needs Rental Housing which will consist of the new construction of a 24-unit rental project for individuals with special needs.
“The Rowan College of South Jersey’s Special Needs Rental Housing project will be developed on the campus of our county college. This project will allow our special needs community to reach a level of independence with their own apartment right around the corner from the services they need,” said Director Frank J. DiMarco.
“Housing for individuals with special needs is a critical priority in New Jersey. Gloucester County and I have shared the mission to meet the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said former Senate President Steve Sweeney. “Our special needs community deserves the opportunity to succeed and live a meaningful life.”
The Special Needs Rental Housing project will be constructed on the campus of Rowan College of South Jersey, 1400 Tanyard Road in Sewell, right next to the Rowan Integrated Special Needs Center (RISN) and the Adult Center for Transition (ACT).
The ACT program students will receive education and employment preparedness, self-advocacy training, and have access to community resources. ACT students will concentrate on the enhancement of literacy, writing composition, mathematics, social sciences, financial literacy, work-place readiness, personal growth and development, computer literacy and activities of daily living.
RISN is the first special needs primary care facility in the South Jersey region. The RISN center offers patient centered primary and behavioral health care services for individuals with physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities and for their families.
“Gloucester County will continue to be at the forefront of helping care for our special needs community. The ACT program being in the backyard of these future homes will allow our special needs community to learn more about their interests, prioritize independent living and prepare them for a career,” said Director DiMarco. “This will allow them to join our local workforce and continue to keep Gloucester County an inclusive, diverse and hardworking community.”
The Rowan College of South Jersey’s Special Needs Rental Housing project is expected to break ground later this year. For more information, please visit rcsj.edu.
