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We Answer Every Call | We Help in a Crisis
We change lives...
Click here
to view weekly progress of the Orchard Commons construction site.
Click here to see photos from the Orchard Commons Ribbon Cutting.
Starter Homes for Low Income Families
The lack of affordable housing has been cited in county-wide needs assessments as the highest priority human service need in our community. Every day, thousands of Bergen County families are forced to make impossible choices between their most basic requirements for medicine, food and clothing and the cost of housing.
Bergen County's United Way has stimulated the creation of new affordable housing by establishing a predevelopment capital bank. BCUW finances construction and rehabilitation of starter homes by not for profits experienced in developing affordable housing. Working together, we also educate new homeowners about money management and property maintenance. Projects are underway or have been completed in, Allendale, Bergenfield, Cliffside Park, Englewood, Fairview, Garfield, Hackensack, and Teaneck - totaling 53 units including barrier free and special needs (teen moms and their babies) construction. Our investments have leveraged an additional $5,296,000 in federal and state grant revenues.
The result is that working poor families gain equity, foster pride of ownership, and achieve social stability by having a permanent home.
Roberts House
Roberts house is a 1,500 sq. ft. two story Cape Cod located on .4 acres along 343 West Crescent Avenue in Allendale. When rehabilitated the house will offer three bedrooms, two bathrooms and common living space including an eat-in kitchen, living room, a den/computer room, and laundry facilities. Central air conditioning, new windows and doors, and Energy Star appliances will be added.
Click here
to view current pictures of Roberts House which has yet to begin renovation.
Orchard Commons
Special needs housing for ten individuals with developmental disabilities is under construction on the Orchard Commons property. adjacent to the park. The .6340 acre site is an open lot recessed from the corner of West Orchard Street and Franklin Turnpike. A cluster of buildings will include four two bedroom units and two one bedroom units. The configuration of the buildings creates an interior courtyard and handicap accessible parking is planned adjacent to each building. All units will be on one floor and will be approximately 900 and 550 square feet. Units will be wheelchair accessible and will be equipped to accommodate individuals with disabilities who reside there.
Follow the construction of the site weekly.
View more photos
of the Orchard Commons construction site as of February 19, 2010.
Housing First
We are also leading efforts to end homelessness in our community by bringing
together resources and expertise to advance Housing First, a nationally
acclaimed model that has proven to be one of the most compassionate,
empowering and cost effective ways to end chronic homelessness. It is a
permanent housing solution that also includes the wrap around supportive
services necessary for improved health and well-being.
In partnership with Bergen County Community Development and the Housing
Authority of Bergen County, we have secured a total of $3.8 million in rental
assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to
provide permanent housing subsidies for 90 chronically homeless individuals,
as well as, the wrap around supportive services necessary to insure their
health and well-being.
Our Housing First pilot began in January 2009 and succeeded in taking 22 chronically homeless off the streets, placing them in apartments
scattered throughout the county, to give them a place they can call home. The total homeless housed to date is 42.
For information on becoming a Housing First partner
click here. |
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Mark proudly holds up the key to his apartment. It hangs from a red lanyard
around his neck, for everyone to see.
Read more about Mark |
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