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\n Ribbon-cutting brings together partners HACC, NJHMFA, elected officials, and neighborhood residents <\/p>\n
Congressman Donald Norcross, Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen and state and local officials joined Ablett Village residents and other neighborhood stakeholders to celebrate the completion of the second phase, known as The Harrison. The Harrison is a $16.3 million development that integrates 55 beautiful mixed-income senior apartments with numerous amenities, including medical exam rooms staffed by nurses from Virtua Health and Rutgers-Camden School of Nursing, a multipurpose room, craft lounge, healing garden, fitness center and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n Five units in The Harrison will be set aside for seniors facing homelessness; two units will be leased at an unrestricted market rate; and the rest will be for seniors who are at or below 80% of Area Median Income.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe Harrison and other reimaginings of Ablett Village represent what Camden can accomplish when we come together as a team,\u201d said Camden Mayor Victor G. Carstarphen. \u201cThis certainly didn\u2019t happen overnight \u2013 it required great vision, hard work, and collaboration from a lot of different Camden partners, many of whom are here today. Congratulations on a job well done, everybody, and to those moving in, welcome home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was proud to work alongside the community to advocate for the federal Choice grant funding to redevelop Ablett Village \u2013 which if you recall, was a tremendous $35 million,\u201d\u00a0said Congressman Donald Norcross. \u201cThis was a much-needed investment to improve Camden\u2019s affordable housing and access to opportunity. Everyone deserves an affordable, safe place to call home and access to good-paying jobs. This ribbon-cutting represents our shared vision of improving the quality of life and the health and safety of Ablett Village residents.\u201d<\/p>\n HUD awarded Camden with a $35 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation grant in 2021 to transform the Ablett Village community and Cramer Hill neighborhood. In addition, the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) provided $13.9 million in tax credit equity for the project through federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits.<\/p>\n \u201cAs the statewide leader in providing and advocating for affordable housing and homeownership, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency knows that development and preservation of quality homes is critical to achieving equitable outcomes for Camden residents,\u201d said NJHMFA\u2019s Melanie Walter, Executive Director. \u201cThis ribbon-cutting is the culmination of what can happen with a vision of equity and opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMichaels is honored to have been entrusted with building yet another beautifully equipped, energy-efficient, and affordable community for Camden\u2019s older adults,\u201d said Nicholas Cangelosi, Senior Vice President of Development at The Michaels Organization. \u201cWe strive to make all of our homes more than just a place to hang a hat. The Harrison, in particular, is geared towards individuals who want to stay active and connected while having easy access to some of the best medical care around. We thank our long list of partners who made today possible \u2013 we couldn\u2019t have done it without you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cQuality and affordable housing for seniors is a real concern and this redevelopment is providing some much-needed stability to our seniors here in Camden City,\u201d Commissioner Melinda Kane said. \u201cNot only will the Harrison address housing needs in this population but it will also provide easily accessible medical care and other amenities that are crucial to senior citizens. I am proud to see this project come to fruition and cannot wait to see what this facility will do for our community.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Harrison is a great example of what can be accomplished when the right priorities and stellar leadership are in place,\u201d said Melody Johnson-Williams, Executive Director of HACC. \u201cIt was a privilege for HACC to keep the Choice grant application process moving forward despite several obstacles, and to keep rallying the community around a shared goal. Needless to say, today is a sweet day for all of us, but especially for those who will live and spend time here. We wish them much comfort and happiness in the days to come.\u201d<\/p>\n The third and fourth phases of redevelopment, which will include 297 new homes, are expected to begin in Summer 2024.<\/p>\n About the Housing Authority of the City of Camden<\/strong> About The Michaels Organization<\/strong><\/p>\n The Michaels Organization is a national leader in residential real estate, offering full-service capabilities in development, property management, construction, and investment management. Serving more than 200,000 residents in more than 600 communities across 39 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Michaels is committed to crafting housing solutions that jumpstart education, civic engagement and neighborhood prosperity and to creating Communities That Lift Lives.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Source: The Michaels Organization<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n CAMDEN, N.J., April 3, 2024 (Newswire.com)
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\n <\/strong>Today the Housing Authority of the City of Camden<\/a> (HACC), The Michaels Organization<\/a>, and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency<\/a> (NJHMFA) cut the ribbon on the second of four phases in the $165 million redevelopment of Camden\u2019s oldest public housing community, Ablett Village. Ablett Village is the eighth affordable housing community that Michaels has redeveloped in Camden over the past 12 years.<\/p>\n
The Housing Authority of the City of Camden has been serving city residents since 1938, when its first development, Westfield Acres opened with 514 units to meet \u201chousehold needs.\u201d Today the Housing Authority of the City of Camden serves 7,000 residents annually. Our holdings have grown to include four family sites, three high-rises for seniors and the physically challenged, a homeownership development, and another 13 privately managed properties. We are also the proud recipients of three HOPE VI awards.<\/p>\n