Newark Wants To Create 300 Units Of Housing For Homeless

NEWARK, NJ — It seems like such a simple mantra: “Housing is the only remedy to cure homelessness.” But according to officials in Newark, more developers are needed to step up to the plate to get the job done.

Now, they have even more of a reason to invest in Newark, the city’s mayor says: the Making Housing Homes program.

Last week, Mayor Ras Baraka and Newark Homelessness Czar Sakinah Hoyte announced that the city is launching a new program in an attempt to create more transitional, permanent and supportive housing in the city.

The initial goal is steep: 300 units of housing made especially with the city’s homeless population in mind.

To get there, Newark officials are trying to rally interest from private developers and housing nonprofits. Here are a few details about the Making Housing Homes program that may sweeten the pot, officials said – some of which are still contingent on funding and city council approval:

• Up to 10 parcels of vacant, city-owned land for $2 a square foot, from the Department of Economic and Housing Development (EHD) (to be released on November 18, 2020)
• Up to $2 million of capital/gap financing for construction, not to exceed $500,000 per partner; no greater than $50,000 per unit from EHD
• Up to 100 vouchers for operating assistance (HUD Section 8 voucher) from Newark Housing Authority
• Access to organizations that provide wrap around services, approved by the County of Essex Continuum of Care

Interested developers should take heed of the following details, officials said:

“The housing units will require social service support to promote the success of those housed and to prevent homelessness recidivism. Each project is expected to include a minimum of three units and a maximum of 30 units with a preference for mixed use … While the mayor’s Call to Action to End Homelessness calls for specific minimum and maximum unit requirements, the city may consider making slight amendments to the plan to accommodate reasonable design proposals that still align with the overall development goals.”

Developers and nonprofits must submit proposals for housing projects to the city by Wednesday, Dec. 16 to makinghousinghomes@ci.newark.nj.us.

City officials added:

“An informational conference will be held on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at Noon via Zoom. Respondents are encouraged to RSVP for the meeting and submit questions via e-mail to makinghousinghomes@ci.newark.nj.us no later than Monday, November 30, 2020. All interested parties must express their interest via e-mail and responses to this solicitation must be submitted via e-mail to makinghousinghomes@ci.newark.nj.us no later than 4 p.m. on Wednesday, December 16, 2020.”

“My administration is committed to ending the plight of homelessness within our city,” Baraka said. “Housing is the only remedy to cure homelessness, and we will not rest until every resident of Newark has an address.”

Hoyte agreed.

“The affordable housing shortage in our country is a crisis, and as we are in the midst of this global pandemic, we continue to plan for the looming increase in homelessness,” Hoyte said.

• See related article: Essex County Has Most Homeless In NJ; Evictions Played A Big Role
• See related article: Newark Raises Bar For Homeless Outreach In Coronavirus Crisis

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