A new supportive housing development in Somers Point has received $750,000 in financing from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to provide permanent housing for residents with special needs.
The funding, approved during the agency’s June board meeting through the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund, will support construction of a 2,416-square-foot, ranch-style home at 104 Cleveland Ave.
The residence will be fully wheelchair accessible and feature five exterior entrances. Once completed, it will provide permanent supportive housing for six individuals with special needs. Caring Inc., a South Jersey nonprofit that provides housing and supportive services for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, will operate the home and provide on-site services designed to help residents live as independently as possible while remaining connected to the community.
State housing officials said the project reflects a broader effort to increase the availability of affordable, accessible housing throughout New Jersey, including Jersey Shore communities that are home to thousands of year-round residents.
While coastal communities are often associated with tourism and seasonal visitors, officials noted they also face an ongoing need for housing that serves residents with disabilities and other specialized housing needs. Expanding supportive housing allows individuals to remain close to their families, health care providers and community support networks.
“Every New Jersey resident deserves access to safe, quality housing that meets their needs and allows them to live with dignity and independence,” NJHMFA Executive Director Melanie R. Walter said in a statement. “Supportive housing is essential in communities across our state, including the Jersey Shore, where residents with specialized needs deserve the opportunity to live close to family, services, health care and the neighborhoods they know.”
Walter also thanked members of the New Jersey Legislature for their continued investment in the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund, which provides annual financing for affordable supportive housing developments across the state.
The trust fund receives dedicated annual revenue to create housing opportunities for New Jersey residents with special needs. Through the program, NJHMFA partners with nonprofit organizations and housing providers to develop accessible, service-enriched housing that promotes independence, stability and long-term well-being.
The Somers Point project is expected to be completed in 2027. Once finished, it will add six permanent supportive housing units in Atlantic County and expand housing options for residents who require both affordable housing and ongoing support services.
The project is one of several initiatives funded through the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund as New Jersey continues efforts to address the growing demand for supportive housing across the state.
