In the past year, NJDH has worked with Triple C Housing (TCH) to set up the first Deaf Housing in NJ. This is a fully renovated 4 unit (2 Bedroom) building in Highland Park. TCH has approved tenants and they are in the process of moving to their new low income housing. Yes, it’s only 4 units but it is the first step for Deaf Housing in NJ. We were surprised at the difficulty of finding and approving applicants. There were about 25 people who sent emails and said they were interested. But only 5 actually filled out an application. For low income housing there are very strict rules for the family size and income limits. Many documents are needed such as IDs, Birth Certificates, letter from a doctor or other licensed professional that the head of household is Deaf, income information, etc. Many looking for Deaf Housing are singles or couples and are not acceptable for a 2 bedroom low income apartment but only a one bedroom apartment. Examples of suitable families are a parent with 2 children or a couple with one or 2 children. No more than 4 people can be accepted. NJDH did not anticipate the difficulties in finding and approving families but worked with the applicants and their social workers and are thrilled that families have been accepted.
TCH has also purchased property in Bayville NJ and is in the process of getting permits to build a 25 unit building for Deaf residents. The process has been made more difficult by the flooding in the Spring but work on this property continues,
NJDH also has opened discussions with RPM developers about 11low income one bedroom units in a building under construction in Union City. These one bedroom units would be ideal for the Deaf singles or couples. For these units set aside for Deaf residents, NJDH must find and partner with a qualified NJ DDD (Division of Developmental Disability) licensed provider. It was unexpected but NJDH is actively searching for acceptable DDD partners.
Recently, NJDH has started discussion with Easter Seals of NJ. Easter Seals works with Deaf individuals in their work programs and has expressed interest in working with NJDH on Deaf Housing.
NJDH has also contacted the Mayor of Ewing Township about land being available for building near the train station and possibly working with developers on a dedicated building for the Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened population in NJ. There have been rumors that part of this land is from the Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf. As previously noted, NJDH spent about 5 years working with the State of NJ departments from the Attorney General office, Treasury etc only to have the NJ Department of Education deny the renovation of the long vacant boy’s dormitory into 25 apartments for the Deaf. A terrible disappointment for the NJ Deaf community.
NJDH is hoping there will be some who want to join the Board to work with us towards the goal of housing in NJ. Please contact our President, Lauren Lercher (lauren@njdh.org).
NJDH appreciates the loyalty of the NJ Deaf community towards NJDH in the long and difficult path towards getting to the goal of Housing in NJ for the Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing and late deafened population. We love you!
