In this Week's Edition
News
SHA Developers Meeting Reminder
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US Supreme Court Upholds
CDC Eviction Moratorium
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Governor Murphy Signs Legislation Appropriating $20 Million to the
Special Needs Housing Trust Fund
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New Jersey Sees New
Expanded Earned Income Credit
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Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Issues 2021 Mortgage Servicing Covid-19 Rule
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RAIN Foundation Breaks Ground
on Permanent Supportive Housing
for LGBT Residents in Newark
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Essex County Mayors Address
Challenges and Strategies
of Meeting Housing Requirements
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MHANJ Brings Hope to the Home with
New Virtual Wellness Center Pilot
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Burlington County to Launch Mortgage
and Utility Assistance for Residents
Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic
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Two Great Advocacy Training
Programs Accepting Applications
Garden State Leaders and
New Jersey Partners in Policymaking
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Join SHA for the 23rd Annual
Supportive Housing Conference
and Nominate Excellence in Housing
Sept 27th, Nov 9th and Nov 10th
Resources & Virtual Forums
Brunch for the Brain Webinar Series
Caregiver Isolation Before, During
and After a Global Pandemic
July 21, 2021
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Disability Rights NJ Announces Two Open Positions on the New Children’s Team
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- Managing Attorney
- Juvenile Justice Legal Fellowship (one year)
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Next SHA
Developers Meeting
1:00–3:00PM via Zoom
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Next SHA
Members Meeting
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Save the Date!
NJ DMHAS
Opioid Summit
September 21-22, 2021
The Palace - Somerset, NJ
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Save the Date!
September 27, 2021
SHA Supportive Housing Awards Reception
The Palace - Somerset, NJ
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Save the Date!
Celebrate 30 Years
with CSH
Virtual Celebration
September 28, 1-5 pm ET
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Registration Open
Virtual Event
September 29th & 30th
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Save the Date!
November 9-10, 2021
SHA 23rd Annual Supportive Housing Conference
Virtual Event
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New Housing Available
Atlantic Highlands
Berkeley Heights
Maplewood
and more...
Check the latest
new postings in the
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A special shout out for their new name and style as Bridgeway becomes Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services starting today, July 1st. Stop by their website to see their updates: https://www.bridgewayrehab.org/
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A special shout out for their new name and style as Bridgeway becomes Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services starting today, July 1st. Stop by their website to see their updates: https://www.bridgewayrehab.org/
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SHA Welcomes New Members In 2021
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Developers Group Meeting Reminder
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Join us on Monday, July 12th for a virtual meeting of our Developers Group.
Meeting Discussion: New Infused Funding
Join us to discuss the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund with NJHMFA
and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund with guests to be announced.
Registration Is Now Open to SHA Members
Zoom Meeting Information will be sent by Friday, July 9th
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US Supreme Court Upholds CDC Eviction Moratorium
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This week the Supreme Court denied a request to allow a May 5th lower court ruling—which would have ended the CDC’s nationwide eviction moratorium for qualifying renters—to go into effect. The May 5th order, issued by a U.S. District Judge, ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and would have vacated the CDC order. However, the Biden-Harris Administration appealed the lower court’s ruling and the U.S. District Judge put the ruling on hold pending appeal. The plaintiffs in the case were appealing to the Supreme Court to allow that court's ruling to be enforced. The Supreme Court decision leaves the CDC’s eviction order, which is set to expire on July 31, 2021, in place while litigation in the dispute continues.
In New Jersey:
As the state’s fiscal year comes to an end, lawmakers are awaiting Gov. Phil Murphy’s signature on a number of key bills, one of which would give more support to renters facing a mass eviction crisis. Legislators last week agreed to end the state’s eviction moratorium early, requiring hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to help both tenants and landlords. Advocates for both landlords and tenants expressed broad support for the measure, although some were critical.
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Governor Murphy Signs Legislation Appropriating
$20 Million to the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund
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The legislation provides a permanent revenue stream for up to $20 Million dollars annually from certain realty transfer fees to be directed into the SNHTF. With this new infusion of capital, more projects can be dedicated to helping create housing for New Jersey residents in need.
"It is particularly fitting that June marks the 22nd anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling affirming the rights of people with disabilities to live in the community that the Governor signed this bill today,” said Diane Riley, Executive Director of the Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey. “This law puts funding aside that will create opportunities to build more homes in every community for the thousands of people who struggle with barriers but can thrive with the supports they need.” (NJ.gov, June 29, 2021)
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New Jersey Sees New Expanded Earned Income Credit
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TRENTON, NJ — More low-income New Jersey residents will be eligible to receive the state's Earned Income Tax Credit under a bill Gov. Phil Murphy signed Tuesday. The bill, S3428/A5345, expands the state's Earned Income Tax Credit to workers who are at least 18 years old whether or not they have children. It also allows those who are 65 or older to claim the credit again whether they have qualifying children or not. The Earned Income Tax Credit can reduce the amount of income taxes someone owes, or provide a refund even if the person doesn't owe any taxes. New Jersey expanded the eligibility to those 21 and older in September 2020. The bill Murphy signed Tuesday is a further expansion of the program.
The Earned Income Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit for low- and moderate-income working individuals and families. It was established by the federal government in 1975 and New Jersey added a state version of the credit in 2000. The credit is estimated to be worth about $600 and the expansion would benefit about 10,500 people for Fiscal Year 2022, the state Office of Legislative Services estimates.
To receive the NJ state EITC, you must file a federal tax form, be eligible for the federal EITC and file a state income tax return (if you are married but file separately, you may not claim the NJ EITC). Visit www.irs.gov/eitc for more information on filing for the federal EITC or call 1-800-829-1040. For more income and eligibility information on filing for the NJ EITC visit www.njeitc.org or call 609-292-6400.
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Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Issues 2021 Mortgage Servicing Covid-19 Rule
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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued the 2021 Mortgage Servicing Covid-19 rule (2021 rule), a final temporary rule that amends the agency’s mortgage servicing rules to offer additional assistance to borrowers experiencing a pandemic-related financial hardship. The 2021 rule, which will generally cover loans on principal residences starting August 31, 2021, will establish temporary special safeguards to help ensure that borrowers affected by the pandemic’s economic fallout have time before foreclosure to explore their options. The new temporary rule will also allow loan servicers to offer streamlined loan modifications to eligible borrowers without making borrowers submit all the paperwork for every possible option or increasing borrowers’ monthly payments.
Additionally, the rule will require servicers to increase their outreach to borrowers before initiating foreclosure and to provide borrowers exiting forbearance or struggling to make mortgage payments with key information about their options in any communications. The CFPB notes that qualifying borrowers will have a set of options to bring their mortgages current and avoid foreclosure, including missed payments deferral and loan modifications.
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RAIN Foundation Breaks Ground on Permanent Supportive Housing for LGBT Residents in Newark
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The city is providing the land — valued at $400,000 — for a nominal amount, and has committed $1.3 million to the project, officials said. Additional funding is expected to come from the federal Continuum of Care program, the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York*, BCB Bank and the Essex County HOME program. Monarch Housing Associates* is providing extensive financial and project consulting for the new housing and Kitchen & Associates*, a New Jersey-based architect will provide the design. The RAIN Foundation will serve as the developer on the project.
*Denotes SHA Members working on this project.
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Photos above from the groundbreaking ceremony including architect rendering from Kitchen and Associates (left) and representatives from project partners (right) including Taiisa Kelly, CEO and Asish Patel, COO from Monarch Housing Associates with shovels and hard hats.
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Essex County Mayors Address Challenges
and Strategies of Meeting Housing Requirements
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The topic came to the fore after West Caldwell Mayor Joe Tempesta suggested taking a regional or county approach to hiring construction officials, zoning officials, sub-code officials, plumbing inspectors, building inspectors, electrical inspectors and other positions that the municipalities have struggled to fill on a part-time basis. Mayor Jack McEvoy of Verona chimed in to suggest that elected officials work together to encourage state representatives to pass legislation that will help townships in anticipation of the next round of obligations in 2025. Tempesta agreed that lobbying state legislators to help with funding to build the necessary infrastructure would benefit the entire Essex County community. South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum also highlighted the benefits of planning supportive housing units in housing development as they count twice toward housing requirements.
The panel of mayors, which included Shawn Klein of Livingston, Sheena Collum of South Orange, Ras Baraka of Newark and James Spango of Roseland, agreed with Tempesta’s determination that this is going to be especially difficult in the coming years as thousands of housing units are built throughout the county.
(Tapinto/West Essex, June 29, 2021)
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MHANJ Brings Hope to the Home with
New Virtual Wellness Center Pilot
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The Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) is pleased to launch United by Wellness (UBW), a virtual wellness center designed to provide emotional and mental health support, education and advocacy in a safe, diverse community. This is a free, three-month pilot program that will bring the hope of recovery to New Jerseyans in the comfort and privacy of their own homes, with specialized tracks based on individual needs. It will open on Wednesday, July 7.
About UBW
UBW is for New Jerseyans looking for ways to support and improve their emotional well-being. Groups will be led by the MHANJ's specially trained peers, people with lived experience with a behavioral health disorder.
How does UBW work?
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Anyone interested in participating may register by filling out a short survey form.
- Each registrant will receive a weekly newsletter with instructions about how to access the full range of services via Zoom or phone, featuring more than 45 free groups per week.
- Individuals will be able to participate in groups based on personal interests and needs. There will be offerings every day of the week.
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Participants may join a Sub-community for focused discovery in the areas of: Mental Wellness; Substance Use and Co-Occurring Disorders; Coping Skills; or Employment.
To ask a question or register by phone, call 609-652-3800.
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Burlington County to Launch Mortgage and Utility Assistance for Residents Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic
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MOUNT HOLLY – The Burlington County Commissioners announced a new program to assist county homeowners impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Burlington County CARES Act program funded by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will launch this month. The program is designed to provide income-eligible residents with documented financial hardships up to six months of mortgage and/or utility assistance. Mortgage relief has been identified as a pressing need in our community, and Burlington County’s program can provide eligible homeowners with up to six months of assistance for outstanding or upcoming mortgage payments (including property taxes). Utility support is also available from the new Burlington County CARES Act program, as is a combination of both mortgage and utility help. The new assistance is funded with $1.2 million in grant funding awarded to Burlington County from last year’s federal CARES Act.
To be eligible, homeowners must reside at the property and meet household income limits, ranging from $52,950 for a single resident, $75,600 for a family of four and $99,800 for a family of eight or more people.
Applications are being considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested homeowners must submit a preliminary application online. It can be found at www.tfaforms.com/4913684.
Burlington County residents with questions about the mortgage and utility assistance program or application can call a program representative at 609-642-9213, ext. 58 or email jbreslin@cgph.net.
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Two Great Advocacy Training
Programs Accepting Applications
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Garden State Leaders Opens Applications
for Summer/Fall 2021 Leadership and Advocacy Program
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The Garden State Leaders Program ( A partnership of New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness and New Jersey Citizen Action) is a free leadership and advocacy training program for NJ residents with lived experience of poverty. Throughout the program participants learn to effectively tell their stories, build leadership skills and further their advocacy goals. Each session focuses on a different topic such as crafting and delivering your message, working with the media, understanding local policy issues and more. The program will be offered in a virtual format over the course of eight, three-hour sessions from the last week of July through the end of November. Please click the link below to apply and join our over 70 graduates of the program working to make a difference throughout the state: https://www.njceh.org/gsl-application
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New Jersey Partners in Policymaking - Apply by July 9th
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New Jersey Partners in Policymaking is a leadership development and advocacy education program for adults with developmental disabilities (over age 21) and family members of young children and transition age youth available through collaboration between The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities, The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, and Disability Rights New Jersey. The goal of this program is to prepare the next generation of disability advocates to work toward meaningful change in our state.
Applications must be received by July 9, 2021.
Applicants will be notified of acceptance by July 30, 2021.
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Join SHA for the 23rd Annual
Supportive Housing Conference
and Nominate Excellence in Housing
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September 27, 2021
The Palace – Somerset, NJ
Join us this September at The Palace as we celebrate our honorees during the 2021 Supportive Housing Awards Reception. Attendees will have opportunities to reconnect, speak with sponsoring partners, and network over refreshments before honoring our 2021 Award recipients.
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November 9, 2021
November 10, 2021
Join us this November from the comfort of your computer as we provide two half-days of excellent workshop presentations and discussions. Registered attendees won't miss a moment as all sessions will be recorded and accessible to attendees for 3-months following.
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Over the past year the Supportive Housing Community watched people Renewing and Rising, showing us the very best we can be as we strive to build supportive, affordable, and inclusive communities. Help us honor those whose examples inspire our progress.
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Do you know an example of Excellence in Supportive Housing?
Nominate by August 6th — Winners notified by September 1st
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Project of the Year
Use the form below to nominate a supportive housing project which demonstrates excellence. Each project must:
- Receive a certificate of occupancy after April 2020
- Be completed by December 2021
Full eligibility details in linked form below and multiple projects may be selected for this award.
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Housing Hero Leadership
Use the form below to nominate a housing hero who demonstrated leadership and excellence over the past year. Awardees may include but are not limited to:
Executive Directors, Clinical staff, Direct Support Professionals, Administrators, Operations Managers, Tenants, Volunteers, Teams, Elected Officials, Municipalities
Full eligibility details in linked form below and multiple heroes may be selected for this award.
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Resources & Virtual Forums
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Brunch for the Brain Webinar Series
Caregiver Isolation Before, During and After a Global Pandemic
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Brunch for the Brain Webinar Series
Third Wednesday Each Month Through December
Wednesday, July 21, 2021 | 12:00 PM ET
Isolation is something that many people encountered for the first time during the global pandemic. But the state of being isolated from friends, family, or even kind strangers is something older adults, persons with disabilities, and family caregivers have experienced for a very long time and will likely continue to experience long after the world fully reopens.
One way to prevent or minimize isolation, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation, is to increase access to Home & Community Based Services (HCBS). By making sure the people in our communities who are most vulnerable to isolation get the regular interaction, care, and engagement we all need to thrive as human beings.
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There are many great ways of supporting SHA: Join as a member, send donations, or shop with AmazonSmile. Thank you for your support!
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Want all the member benefits with SHA? Visit our website or contact Joseph Christensen to apply or manage your membership.
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Members can post jobs to find applicants within the wider supportive housing community. Click on the button to visit our job page.
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Diane Riley, Executive Director
Joseph Christensen, Membership & Communication Manager
Kate Kelly, MSW – Integrated Community Project Manager
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Advocate ● Educate ● Support
The Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey unites its diverse coalition of members engaging development, resources, and information to sustain supportive housing systems within New Jersey. Since 1998, our statewide mission seeks to enhance lives and accessibility to enable independent living within our communities.
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Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey
185 Valley Street, South Orange, NJ 07079
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