Politics & Government
Pair of Township Lots Authorized for Use as Special Needs Housing
Homes Now, Inc. to take possession of land on Drum Point Road and Herbertsville Road to develop housing for special needs citizens
Through a partnership between Brick Township and the state of New Jersey, two properties are being provided to Homes Now, Inc., a nonprofit company, for use in providing affordable housing for eight local residents with special needs.
The properties in question are located at 425 Drum Point Road and 481 Herbertsville Road.
Homes Now President and CEO Carole Wolfe recently went into further detail on the property transfer and its purpose.
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“The township has an affordable housing obligation like every other municipality in the state and has been successful in complying with it,” said Wolfe.
“This will allow a four-bedroom house to be built on each lot, which afterwards will be owned and operated by the ARC of Ocean County,” Wolfe added.
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ARC is an organization designed to advocate for and support citizens with special needs and developmental disabilities.
Wolfe said that the partnership with the state would earn eight credits for Brick in the COAH program (Council on Affordable Housing, now overseen by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs), with each credit approximately valued at $169,000.
Wolfe said that any funds put forward by Brick to the initiative for housing with special needs will be matched by the state, in the form of money held in trust.
“We’ve reached out to the state, and the homes should be completed by the end of this year,” said Wolfe.
The Homes Now CEO was enthusiastic in expressing her gratitude for the municipality and state assistance.
“We appreciate all of the support we’ve received; Brick has been at the forefront of affordable housing and the providing of it for those with special needs,” Wolfe explained.
Mayor Stephen Acropolis also spoke of the town’s support for the initiative.
“In Brick, we’ve always had a great relationship with Homes Now. Anytime we can work with them to provide housing for citizens with special needs, we’re happy to do that,” said Acropolis.
The municipality has scheduled the authorization of the property transfer to Homes Now for tonight’s township council meeting.
