By Joshua Burd
Plans for a new supportive housing community in Waldwick are moving ahead with the help of more than $1 million from the New Jersey Housing Mortgage and Finance Agency.
According to a news release, the $2.6 million project on Wyckoff Avenue will comprise eight bedrooms across a pair of two-story homes. That will help ensure individuals with special needs have access to safe, affordable housing and the opportunity to live independently in the community they call home.
HMFA announced its support for the project on Tuesday, drawing from its Special Needs Housing Trust Fund to enable both the construction and long-term viability of the complex. The development will also rely on funding from Bergen County’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program and the Federal Home Loan Bank.
Its first residents are expected to arrive in 2027.
“This essential development will help address the demand for supportive housing in Bergen County by creating safe, affordable homes where individuals with special needs can live independently and remain connected to the communities they call home,” said Melanie R. Walter, HMFA’s executive director. “Every New Jersey resident deserves access to housing that promotes stability, dignity and opportunity. Through continued Special Needs Housing Trust Fund investments, NJHMFA is expanding supportive housing across the state and helping more residents access the housing and services they need to thrive.”
Located in a predominantly residential neighborhood, the property will provide convenient access to local services, health care, transportation and other community resources that support independent living and long-term stability, the agency said. It also noted that such a development can help ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities and other special needs can thrive in high-opportunity communities close to family, employment opportunities and support networks.
The Special Needs Housing Trust Fund was established to create permanent supportive housing opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health needs and other populations requiring supportive services, HFMA said.
