Kenneth Morris (St. Joseph’s Health), and Bob Guarasci (New Jersey Community Development Corporation): Partnering to Support Vulnerable Families with Housing and Health Services
The Big Idea:
● Two extraordinary leaders, Bob Guarasci, founder and CEO of the New Jersey Community Development Corporation and Kenneth Morris, Vice President of External Affairs at St. Joseph’s Hospital, helped create New Jersey’s first hospital-based supportive housing in Paterson.
● Barclay Place, built on a vacant lot, is now a five-story apartment building with 56 affordable units for people with special needs, chronic health conditions, and other conditions affecting social determinants of health such as poverty and food insecurity.
● In addition to being near to St. Joseph’s Hospital, there is an on-site wellness hub in the building where community partners can provide health services, workshops and referrals.
Background:
● Housing and health go hand-in-hand. The stability, quality, safety, and affordability of housing all contribute to a person’s health. Affordable housing for low-income individuals can help improve health and reduce health care costs.
● According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, New Jersey has a 214,000-unit shortage of affordable rental housing for low-income renters.
● Subsidies allow most of Barclay Place’s residents to pay a maximum of 30% of their income on rent. Some residents receive vouchers covering almost the full cost of rent.
● Barclay Place was made possible through funding support from St. Joseph’s Hospital, which donated land cash; NJHMFA, which matched St. Joseph’s cash donation; New Jersey Community Capital, and other community partners.
● Barclay Place serves as the first affordable housing project to leverage the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency’s (NJHMFA) hospital partnership program.
Fun Fact:
● To date, the New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC) has built more than 200 units of affordable and supportive housing, many of which have onsite social services for individuals with special needs. NJCDC helps more than 4,000 children and families each day through its social services.
Kenneth’s Take:
“We’re an anchor institution within the city of Paterson. Our hope is that as we address the social determinants of health, that we can improve health outcomes, increase health equity, and also reduce health care costs.”
- Kenneth Morris, Vice President of External Affairs, St. Joseph’s Health
Bob’s Take:
“Housing is healthcare. NJCDC believes that addressing social determinants of health for our residents is vital to ensuring the success and revitalization of our neighborhood. Barclay Place is an innovative project that allows us to provide two of the most important elements in improving quality of life: safe and affordable housing and access to health services.”
- Bob Guarasci, Founder and CEO, New Jersey Community Development Corporation
