Category Archives: Housing Projects

November 16 2021

JBJ Soul Foundation Joins Project HOME to Celebrate Groundbreaking of New Long-Term Recovery Residence in Kensington

Project HOME announced the groundbreaking of its 21^st and newest affordable residence in Kensington at a groundbreaking celebration held on Monday, November 15, 2021. The residence, located at 100 E. Lehigh Avenue, provides 62 new homes to men and women. It offers safe, recovery-focused housing designed to empower adults to break the cycle of chronic street homelessness, while addressing the impact of mental illness and substance use disorders.

“Project HOME has developed a model that pairs housing with the critical supports of education, healthcare, and employment all of which is much needed in Kensington,” said Sister Mary Scullion, Project HOME Co-founder and Executive Director. “This building represents a loving, supportive refuge for the Kensington community and a commitment from those who support it that we recognize the need, and we’re here address it along with our incredible partners.”

Two of the current funding partners on this project are John and Leigh Middleton (MPOWER) and the Jon Bon Jovi (JBJ) Soul Foundation. MPOWER leverages the support of both public and private funders. The JBJ Soul Foundation has been a leader on many of Project HOME’s endeavors and is proud to be a part of this one.

JBJSF Board Members at Kensington Groundbreaking

“It is a pivotal moment for the JBJ Soul Foundation to join this groundbreaking in Kensington, with partners who continue to help those experiencing street homelessness,” says Jon Bon Jovi, Board Chairman of the JBJ Soul Foundation. “We are so proud to continue our long time support of Project HOME in this new endeavor, which will provide much needed safe housing and impactful services to the residents of this community and we invite you all to join us in this work.”

Kensington Long-Term Recovery residents are linked to medical and behavioral health services and substance use and recovery services, as needed. All residents are also eligible to receive employment and education services through Project HOME’s Adult Learning and Employment Department.

This is the ninth project of MPOWER, a unique partnership model drawing on a powerful network of people and ideas that multiplies Project HOME’s impact in five key areas: investments, relationships, resources, advocacy, and evidence.

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September 29 2020

JBJ Soul Foundation & HABCore Celebrate Expansion Grand Opening On River Street In Red Bank

Red Bank, N.J. – On Tuesday, September 29, 2020 HABcore celebrated the grand opening of its 4-unit expansion project on River Street in Red Bank. This project was funded through donations by generous community individuals as well as New Jersey Natural Gas, the Lydia Collins deForest Charitable Trust, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ National Housing Trust Fund, and the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation.

HABcore is a nonprofit organization in Red Bank, NJ serving Monmouth and Ocean counties whose mission is to provide permanent housing and individualized support, helping homeless families, veterans, and individuals with special needs move through crisis to stability, giving them the opportunity to improve their lives.

This is the first time the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has donated to help house the homeless in Monmouth County. “JBJ Soul Foundation is thrilled to partner with HABcore and other local organizations to see the River Street project come to fruition,” said Jon Bon Jovi, Board Chairman of the JBJ Soul Foundation. “Affordable and permanent housing continues to be scarce for many homeless individuals and families in Monmouth and Ocean counties, particularly during these challenging times. We remain committed to our mission of helping those in need in Red Bank and surrounding communities—whether a place to call home on River Street, a warm, healthy, and delicious meal at JBJ Soul Kitchen, or access to support services and community resources at the JBJ & PBC Hope & Comfort Warming Center. All of which are within walking distance to one another.”

In 1988 HABcore was formed to house the homeless when three Red Bank men froze to death on the streets of Red Bank during a harsh winter. The agency was named HABcore in the memory of those men whose initials began with H, A, and B. Over the past 31 years HABcore has continued to meet the needs of the previously homeless in both congregate and independent living settings. HABcore now has 300 residents living across Monmouth and Ocean counties including 60 families with 100 children. Residents represent a formerly homeless population of very-low-income families, veterans, and individuals with special needs. HABcore’s goal is to grow continuously to meet the needs of the 665 estimated homeless in the Monmouth-Ocean region.

“We are excited to open more possibilities for individuals who have a low income in this affluent area who have special needs, to have a beautiful home. We are always looking to provide new housing for those less fortunate of our community while improving support and offering new avenues of independence.” said Steve Heisman, Executive Director.

As part of HABcore’s Independence Pathways Program, the residents will receive supportive services, such as training in job acquisition skills and financial literacy. Approved unanimously by the Red Bank Zoning Board of Adjustment, the project containing a first-floor unit which is wheelchair accessible with a motorized lift. A laundry room has been added in a breezeway connecting the older structure with the new addition, and a fire suppression system has been installed to serve both structures. All construction is energy efficient.

*Inside one of the 4 new apartments on River Street*

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November 15 2019

JBJ Soul Foundation Celebrates Groundbreaking of HABCORE Expansion Project In Red Bank

Red Bank, N.J., (November 15, 2019) – Today HABCORE broke ground on a 4-unit expansion project on River Street in Red Bank. Funds have been donated by generous community individuals as well as New Jersey Natural Gas, the Lydia Collins deForest Charitable Trust, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ National Housing Trust Fund, and the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation.

HABCORE is a nonprofit organization in Red Bank, NJ that provides permanent housing and supportive services to homeless veterans, families and individuals with special needs in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Its mission is to provide permanent housing and individualized support, helping homeless families, veterans, and individuals with special needs move through crisis to stability, giving them the opportunity to improve their lives.

This is the first time the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has donated to permanent housing for the formerly homeless in Monmouth County. “The River Street project presented a unique opportunity for the Foundation to help realize our two-fold mission of ending the cycle of homelessness and hunger in the Red Bank community,” said Heather Goldfarb, Executive Director of JBJ Soul Foundation. “We are pleased to partner with HABCORE to provide affordable housing to those in need, while continuing our support in the community through JBJ Soul Kitchen and JBJ & PBC Hope & Comfort Warming Center, all within walking distance of one another.”

Housing in Monmouth and Ocean counties is scarce and unaffordable for many. In 1988 HABCORE was formed to house the homeless when three Red Bank men froze to death on the streets of Red Bank during a harsh winter. The agency was named HABCORE in the memory of those men whose initials began with H, A, and B. Over the past 31 years HABCORE has continued to meet the needs of the previously homeless in both congregate and independent living settings.

HABCORE now has 300 residents living across Monmouth and Ocean counties including 60 families with 100 children. Residents represent a formerly homeless population of very-low-income families, veterans, and individuals with special needs.

HABCORE’s goal is to grow continuously to meet the needs of the 665 estimated homeless in the Monmouth-Ocean region. “This generosity enables HABCORE to increase the number of affordable, supportive units in Red Bank by building onto the existing 100-year-old duplex which we’ve owned since 1992,” said Steve Heisman, Executive Director. “We have a distinguished track record for expanding services to meet the rising need for housing while continuously improving support to residents.”

As part of HABCORE’s Independent Living Program, the residents will receive supportive services, such as training in job acquisition skills and financial literacy.

Approved unanimously by the Red Bank Zoning Board of Adjustment, the project will make the first floor units wheel chair accessible with a motorized lift on the front of the property. A laundry room will be added in a breezeway connecting the older structure with the new addition, and a fire suppression system will be installed to serve both structures. All construction will be energy efficient.

Rendering of HABCORE’s River Street Project

Elected officials whose districts represent HABCORE’s service area praise its programs and the vital need it addresses:

“HABCORE is a true leader in our Monmouth County community,” said Senator Vin Gopal (D-Long Branch). “So many New Jersey families have been touched by their dedicated efforts, and this funding will allow HABCORE ore to continue to aid more households in need. Thank you to all of the staff, volunteers, and supporters who make HABcore’s mission possible.”

“When addressing homelessness, housing has to be the first part of any solution,” said Assemblywoman Joann Downey (D-Freehold), who chairs the Human Services Committee in the State Assembly. “We’re grateful to HABCORE for all of their efforts to support underserved families, and will continue to do all we can to make sure that they can continue this critical work.”

“Our communities are better off because of HABCORE’s contributions,” said Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling (D-Neptune). “This funding for their efforts in Red Bank is a clear statement that New Jersey will continue to prioritize the needs of our most vulnerable residents, and I look forward to seeing how HABCORE core will use this funding to serve local families.”

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November 11 2019

JBJ Soul Foundation, HELP USA and Partners Welcome Veterans Home to Walter Reed

Formerly homeless DC veterans move in to supportive housing on the former site of Walter Reed Army Medical Center

(WASHINGTON, DC) – HELP USA CEO Tom Hameline, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and other project supporters cut the ribbon for the HELP USA Walter Reed Veteran Apartments. This new 100 percent affordable development provides permanent supportive housing for 77 previously homeless veterans.

“There can be no higher or better use of this historic site than to continue serving the men and women of the Armed Services.” said Tom Hameline. “Because of the vision of the District government, the generosity of our private sector partners, and the hard work of my team, we can today move seventy-seven veterans off the street and offer them what they always deserved, a place to call home.”

This project was built by HELP USA, a national housing and homelessness non-profit and developed in partnership with the District of Columbia as part of their fifteen-year redevelopment of the sixty-six acre parcel that was once home to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. HELP’s building is the first residential development to open on the campus.

“When our veterans experience a housing crisis, we’re going to be there for them with programs in that in safe, service-enriched permanent housing,” said Mayor Bowser. “Our vision for Walter Reed was to deliver community benefits and build a neighborhood that will benefit Washingtonians for generations to come. We built on that commitment today by supporting our most vulnerable residents and ending homelessness by opening new affordable housing for District veterans.”

The building was designed to serve the unique needs of formerly homeless veterans. It features seventy-seven studio apartments, office space for medical staff, counselors and case managers, a cafeteria, a gym, and a landscaped courtyard.

It was funded through government sources and the generosity of private donations. Grants from lead private funder, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, as well as generous contributions from The Weinberg Foundation, The Abell Foundation, The Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, The Home Depot Foundation, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, and the National Equity Fund comprised a large portion of the funding and were instrumental in the development financing.

“The JBJ Soul Foundation is proud to once again partner with HELP USA as we welcome 77 Washington D.C. veterans to a place they can call home. We were called on to lead the private sector investment at Walter Reed and are proud to have this opportunity to say thank you to those who so bravely serve our country,” said Jon Bon Jovi.

*Jon Bon Jovi with one of the veterans moving in to her new apartment at Walter Reed*

The 77 units to be constructed will be offered at the following affordability levels: 75 permanent supportive housing units at 30 percent Median Family Income for chronically homeless veterans and two units at 50 percent median family income. The site of the project is the former Abrams Hall (Building 14), was originally constructed in 1976 as barrack housing for soldiers receiving long-term medical care who were able to live semi-independently.

“In supportive housing communities like Walter Reed, people have the chance to heal, rebuild their independence and find hope again,” said Debbie Burkart, who leads the LISC/NEF Bring Them Homes initiative, which has fueled thousands of affordable housing units with services for veterans. “We’re grateful to investors and philanthropic funders like Morgan Stanley, Cathay Bank, Citi Community Development and Northrup Grumman, all of which recognized the importance of this project early on and saw the tremendous capacity of HELP USA to make it a reality. We could not be prouder to be their partners in the critical work.”

The project was designed by Weincek Associates, built by Ellisdale Construction and Development and made possible by construction financing through TD Bank.

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October 17 2019

Joseph’s House of Camden Celebrates Expanded Facilities and New Services on World Homeless Day

Grand Open House included facility tours and remarks from key donors,
including Jon Bon Jovi

Camden, NJ – October 17, 2019 – Joseph’s House of Camden (JHOC), a South Jersey-based homeless shelter committed to providing shelter and support for those in need, hosted a Grand Open House on October 10, World Homeless Day, to celebrate the opening of expanded facilities and the addition of day services. The day’s program featured remarks from Executive Director Shawn Sheekey, Camden Mayor Frank Moran and representatives from donor organizations, including Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist, philanthropist and New Jersey native, Jon Bon Jovi, who supports the shelter as Chairman of the JBJ Soul Foundation.

The brief program included an invocation from JHOC Board Member Father Mike McCue, an inspiring story from Liz Holmes, a former guest who was able to overcome homelessness and a 30-year addiction with the help of Joseph’s House staff and fellow guests. Also on hand to make remarks were representatives of other major capital campaign donors, Sandy Capell,Manager, Corporate Responsibility and Philanthropy for the Subaru of America Foundation and Tim Durkin, Vice President for Grantmaking at the Connelly Foundation.

During the event, guests, donors and community partners toured the expanded facilities and spoke with local service providers who are now more accessible to guests with the new day program in place. These organizations include Rutgers Health Services, Taylor Care Adult Behavioral Health, Center for Family Services – Living Proof Recovery Center, Maryville Addiction Treatment Centers, Project H.O.P.E., Camden County Board of Social Services, Amerigroup and Camden Coalition.

“Today marks a watershed moment in Joseph’s House’s history. We have many great things to celebrate and be grateful for: our renovation and expansion and, most importantly, the start of our new day program which enables us to double down on the critical services we provide to the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Shawn Sheekey, Executive Director of Joseph’s House of Camden, “This is a crucial step toward our goal of ending homelessness in South Jersey and we are eternally grateful to our donors, volunteers and community supporters who share in this vision and helped get us here.”

The new, 17,000 square foot, $1.2 million renovated facility expands Joseph’s House’s overnight capacity from 80 to 90 cots. At the heart of the upgraded shelter is The HUB, a dedicated space for guests to meet one-on-one with service providers. Adjacent to the HUB is a spacious waiting room, where guests can read, watch TV or socialize while they wait to meet with providers. Other features include a computer room where guests can work on resumes and search for jobs or housing, an upgraded laundry facility and lockers for storing personal belongings.

“We are proud to partner with Joseph’s House to help bring critical services to those most in need,” said Jon Bon Jovi, JBJ Soul Foundation Board Chairman. “Thank you to everyone who supported the new renovations and expanded day program at Joseph’s House and for continuing to take hope to the next level in Camden.”

About Joseph’s House of Camden

Joseph’s House of Camden is a non-profit homeless shelter that collaborates with community members and partners to aid South Jersey’s homeless men and women by offering a continuum of services including emergency shelter, and access to supportive housing and comprehensive social services. On average, the facility provides food and shelter for 80 homeless men and women each night, and now provides day-services in order to provide additional support for men and women in the region. Information and links to donate can be found on the website.