Mayor Ras J. Baraka and City of Newark Homelessness Czar Sakinah Hoyte announced that the city is launching a major program to create transitional, permanent, and supportive housing, to end homelessness in Newark. It will commence with the creation of 300 such units.
Entitled “Making Housing Homes: A Housing First Initiative,” the program calls for private sector and non-profit organizations to submit proposals for housing projects to the City by Wednesday, December 16, 2020.
“My administration is committed to ending the plight of homelessness within our city,” Mayor Baraka said. “Housing is the only remedy to cure homelessness, and we will not rest until every resident of Newark has an address.”
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.
“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. The Mayor’s commitment to addressing both the affordable housing and homelessness crisis is evident in this call to partnerships with developers to build housing specific for the homeless community. This is yet another example of Newark leading,” said Ms. Hoyte.
The Making Housing Homes opportunities include:
* 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
*subject to fund availability (local, state and federal resources) and/or Municipal Council approval
All interested parties must express their interest via e-mail to makinghousinghomes@ci.newark.nj.us
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.
For more information, visit: https://www.newarknj.gov/departments/housing-first-initiative
