In this Week's Edition
News
SHA Member Meeting - August 4, 2021
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President Biden Recommits To
Disability Rights on ADA 31st Anniversary
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Video: New Jersey Commemorates
Disability Pride Month
on 31st Anniversary of ADA
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2021 State of Homelessness
Report Now Available from NAEH
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CFPB Launches New
Search Tool for Rental Assistance
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HUD Offers Grant Program Funding
to Provide Legal Services
Apply by Sept 8th
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Housing Roundtable with the
Disability Community Recording
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New Jersey Takes Comprehensive
Steps To Remediate Lead
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DDD Updates
Day Program Updates
Webinar: Home & Community Based Services
and the Statewide Transition Plan
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DCF and Human Service Advisory Councils
Review Findings from
Comprehensive Needs Assessment
August 2nd
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CSH Offers Community & Landlord Academy
Providing Another Housing Chance
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June 2021 COVID Jobs Update
nTIDE Report & Webinar
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NJ Partnership to Train Social Service Agencies & Improve Access to Homeless Services for LGBTQI+ Community
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Nominate Excellence in Housing by August 6th
Join SHA's Awards and Conference
Sept 27th, Nov 9th and Nov 10th
Resources & Virtual Forums
Mutual of America Webinar:
Realize the Value of Building Equity
into your Retirement Benefits
August 10, 2021
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Using Assistive Technology
to Support Tenants to Age in Place
August 10, 2021
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Webinar Series: Coordinating
HHS Housing-Related Supports and Services with HUD Housing Assistance for
People Experiencing Homelessness
August 12th & 16th, 2021
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Next SHA
Members Meeting
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Next SHA
Developers Meeting
1:00–3:00PM via Zoom
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Save the Date!
NJ DMHAS
Opioid Summit
September 21-22, 2021
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Save the Date!
September 27, 2021
SHA Supportive Housing Awards Reception
The Palace - Somerset, NJ
Save the Date!
November 9-10, 2021
SHA 23rd Annual Supportive Housing Conference
Virtual Event
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Save the Date!
Virtual Celebration
September 28, 1-5 pm ET
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Registration Open
Virtual Event
September 29th & 30th
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New Housing Posted
Check out the latest postings for housing on SHA's Housing Search Tool including:
Woodbridge
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Congratulations to Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties (JFS) on receiving $166,800 from the Claims Conference to assist the more than 30 Holocaust survivors in the region. The funds will support programs and services including home care, case management, Kosher Meals on Wheels, transportation and socialization programs.
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SHA Welcomes New Members In 2021 |
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Please mark your calendars for our next Member Meeting:
August 4, 2021 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Virtual Meeting Agenda:
State Partner Updates
Special Guests:
Jennifer Langer Jacobs
Assistant Commissioner
Division of Medical Assistance & Health Services
and more
– Featured Presentations –
Supportive Housing Serving the LGBTQ Community
Join us with experts in the field to explore the unique barriers and needs of the LGBTQ community. The RAIN Foundation provides emergency shelter, transitioning housing, and permanent supportive housing services to address the emergent need of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) young adults between the ages 18-26 experiencing crisis leading to homelessness. The agency is developing an eleven (11) unit apartment building for homeless individuals who identify as LGBTQ and may have a disability. Once finished, this will be the 1st Permanent Supportive Housing development in NJ for this population. This original collaborative housing project partnership also includes Monarch Housing, the City of Newark, HUD, Federal Home Loan Bank and more.
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Elaine Helms
The Rain Foundation
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Mabel Elmore
YMCA Newark
and Vicinity
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Asish Patel
COO, Monarch Housing
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President Biden Recommits To
Disability Rights on ADA 31st Anniversary
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President Biden marked the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with a White House ceremony promoting his plans to spend billions on home and community-based services and end subminimum wage. Biden, who was a co-sponsor of the ADA as a senator, lauded the landmark disability rights law for transforming American life for people with disabilities, but said there is still more progress to be had.
Biden touted his plan to invest $400 billion into home and community-based services, which he indicated would help people with disabilities live more independently. He said he’s glad to see Congress starting to move forward on a bill known as the Better Care Better Jobs Act, which would turn that proposal into a reality.
More broadly, Biden said his administration will work to ensure the “dignity and rights of disabled Americans are lifted up in every policy.” He spoke about his efforts to ensure voting rights for people with disabilities and said he was proud to appoint the first-ever White House disability policy director, Kim Knackstedt. And, Biden committed to making the federal government a model employer for people with disabilities in terms of wages, accommodations and advancement opportunities.
The Biden administration also used the ADA anniversary to issue guidance and resources to help Americans who are dealing with what’s known as “long COVID.” Some people with the condition qualify as having a disability and have rights under civil rights laws, the guidance indicates. (Disability Scoop, July 27, 2021)
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Video: New Jersey Commemorates
Disability Pride Month on 31st Anniversary of ADA
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TRENTON – July is Disability Pride Month, an annual observance promoting visibility and awareness of the positive pride felt by individuals with disabilities. Monday also marked the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
To commemorate the occasions, Governor Phil Murphy, Department of Human Services Acting Commissioner Sarah Adelman, Department of Children and Families Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer, individuals with disabilities, and the directors of Human Services divisions that serve individuals with disabilities in the following video:
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2021 State of Homelessness
Report Now Available from NAEH
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This week, the National Alliance to End Homelessness released the State of Homelessness: 2021 Edition. This year's report provides national-, state-, and CoC-level data, analysis, and insights on homelessness and homeless system performance prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visitors can also read more about the specific conditions here in New Jersey. While we have made progress since 2007 in decreasing homelessness, the pandemic has seen a rising trend of need compared to available shelter or housing options. Between 2019 and 2020, New Jersey's Total homeless population rose by 9%, the sheltered population increased by 7% and the unsheltered population grew by 20%. Advocates and government partners can use this data to see where more supportive housing and services can be directed and improve access to housing and stable living for all NJ residents.
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CFPB Launches New Search Tool for Rental Assistance
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ERA can cover rent, utilities, and other costs to help eligible households stay in their homes. More information can be found on the CFPB Rental Assistance page.
Prevent evictions!
Help spread the message: Rental assistance is available. Use this new website to help people find information about applying for rental assistance in their community.
The CFPB also released a media toolkit with shareable email, social media (including the hashtag #RentHelp on social media) and handouts designed to help spread information on the CFPB’s tool and other resources related to housing insecurity during the pandemic. Additionally, the White House released a fact sheet, noting that federal agencies, along with a group of non-profit groups, faith-based organizations and private sector companies, have committed to sharing the CFPB tool and information on available rental assistance with their networks.
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HUD Offers Grant Program Funding
to Provide Legal Services
Apply by Sept 8th
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HUD is making grant funding available to non-profit organizations and governmental entities to provide free legal assistance to low-income tenants undergoing or at risk of eviction. You can find more information on the Eviction Protection Grant Program here. The deadline to apply is September 8, 2021.
Please feel free to share this opportunity with anyone in your network who may find it helpful.
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Housing Roundtable with the
Disability Community Recording
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On Tuesday, July 27, 2021 The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities hosted a Housing Roundtable with Senate President Sweeney, Honorable Members of the NJ Legislative Disability Caucus, and Advocates from the Disability Community. In addition to our legislators, speakers included Mercedes Witowski, Executive Director of NJCDD, Diane Riley, SHA Executive Director, and three self advocates who eloquently spoke on their housing challenges and needs.
The passcode for the recording is: A3^bsG5n
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New Jersey Takes Comprehensive
Steps To Remediate Lead
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Governor Murphy also signed a bill which requires inspections at rental properties for lead paint, which is the more common source of exposure than water because it was so widely used in homes until being banned in 1978. Lead pipes were banned in 1986. Murphy said two-thirds of the state's total housing stock predates 1980, so "the risks of lead exposure run broad."
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DDD Updates
Day Program Updates
Webinar: Home & Community Based Services
and the Statewide Transition Plan
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In a message sent published today, Jonathan Seifried, Assistant Commissioner
New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities shared the following:
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
Regardless of vaccination status, all provider staff working in congregate day services settings and/or provider-managed residential settings must wear a well-fitting mask indoors. Fully vaccinated staff can elect not to wear a mask when outdoors if the individuals in the group they are working with are fully vaccinated.
Regardless of vaccination status, staff providing one-to-one support services for an individual in their home or in the community should also wear a well-fitting mask when indoors with the individual.
All other guidance related to staff and participant masking remains the same.
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Wednesday, August 4, 2021 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Topic: Home and Community Based Services,
Individuals and Families/Caregivers, and the HCBS Rule
Audience: Individuals and their Families/Caregivers
This webinar will provide our individuals, and their family members/caregivers, with a general overview of the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) federal mandate. The discussion will include information on New Jersey’s Statewide Transition Plan (STP), what you can expect, next steps, and frequently asked questions.
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DCF and Human Service Advisory Councils
Review Findings from Comprehensive Needs Assessment August 2nd
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During 2019-2020, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the county Human Service Advisory Councils (HSACs) undertook a comprehensive assessment of counties’ assets and needs in support of families' welfare and well-being. After hearing from over 6,000 participants through surveys, focus groups and key informant interviews, DCF, through Rutgers University School of Social Work, synthesized findings about priority need areas, barriers to addressing those needs, impacted subpopulations, successes and progress, and recommendations for action. Those findings are now ready to share with our system partners.
DCF will be holding a virtual forum on August 2, 2021, at 1:00 PM to present the findings of the 2020 DCF/HSAC needs assessment, DCF and local plans for how we intend to use these findings, and plans for the 2022 assessment. The webinar will be limited to 500 participants, and registration is required; it will also be recorded and made available afterwards to anyone who cannot attend.
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CSH Offers Community & Landlord Academy
Providing Another Housing Chance
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Facilitated by Pathways to Housing PA and in collaboration with CSH
Community & Landlord Academy: Providing Another Housing Chance is a free and virtual statewide academy available to community partners and landlords interested in low barrier housing for people with disabilities and behavioral health challenges.
Community partners can include but are not limited to outreach programs, shelters, harm reduction programs (e.g. syringe exchanges), community health clinics, outpatient MH and SUD providers, supportive employment programs, MOUD/MAT programs, jail/prison reentry programs, emergency room/hospitals, Continuum of Care (CoC) coordinated entry, case management agencies, housing programs, and other behavioral health providers. Landlords can be current or prospective.
The virtual statewide Academy will be from Fall 2021 to early Spring 2022. Cohorts will be capped at 15 to 30 participants and sessions will include sharing experiences and expertise in leasing to tenants with housing barriers (e.g. chronic homelessness, serious and persistent mental illness, substance use, and other disabilities, justice histories), learn about best practices, including Harm Reduction, and build relationships across different New Jersey communities.
Community Partner Benefits
- Identifying & Convening Stakeholders & Building Political Will
- Identifying Funding & Maximizing Medicaid
- Procuring Housing And Building Relationships With Landlords
- Practicing Harm Reduction In An Abstinence Focused System
- Integrating Healthcare And Housing First
- Leveraging The Peer Experience On Housing First Teams
Landlord Benefits
- Professional Development And Networking Opportunities
- Other Community Nonprofits &Amp; Partners Provide Tenancy Support, With Opportunities For: Increased Property Protection, Timely Payments, Decreased Turnover Costs, Diversifying Rental Income Streams
Contact Info
If you or your agency staff is interested in being part of this free virtual academy, or you have recommendations of partners in your community we should invite, please reach out to Cassondra Warney (cassondra.warney@csh.org / 646-640-6069).
Please note that we will send out a survey to invitees to learn what topics would be of most interest, and organize cohorts based on these responses. We plan to send out fall academy invites by early September 2021.
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June 2021 COVID Jobs Update - nTIDE Report & Webinar |
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June's data graph shows that unemployment and furloughs appear to have stabilized for disabled and non-disabled workers, but that the levels are higher than measured prior to the pandemic.
National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) – issued semi-monthly by Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire
Join the live nTIDE Lunch & Learn webinar August 6, at 12:00 pm EST.
- Ask your questions about disability employment.
- Guest speaker is John Robinson, CEO and President, Our Ability.
- Join us for a discussion on the latest statistics and here from our disability employment experts.
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NJ Partnership to Train Social Service Agencies & Improve Access to Homeless Services for LGBTQI+ Community |
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The Division of Family Development is partnering with the Rutgers University-School of Social Work – Institute for Families (IFF) and Hudson Pride Center (HPC) to create and deliver the training to social service agencies, including homeless shelters and county boards of social services. The training is part of a larger initiative by the Murphy administration to improve access to services for LGBTQI+ New Jerseyans.
The training covers a range of topics, including implicit bias; cultural humility; the basics of gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and intersex status and conditions; issues affecting the LGBTQI+ community; and the general rights and protections afforded by federal and state law to LGBTQI+ individuals.
The training is part of a 2-year $600,000 state investment to fund this initiative which began in fiscal year 2021 and will continue this fiscal year.
This month's SHA Member meeting will discuss housing issues and development for the LGBTQI+ community. Members can rsvp by emailing Joseph Christensen today.
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Join SHA for the 23rd Annual
Supportive Housing Conference
and Nominate Excellence in Housing
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September 27, 2021
The Palace – Somerset, NJ
Join us this September at The Palace as we celebrate our honorees during the 2021 Supportive Housing Awards Reception. Attendees will have opportunities to reconnect, speak with sponsoring partners, and network over refreshments before honoring our 2021 Award recipients.
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November 9, 2021
November 10, 2021
Join us this November from the comfort of your computer as we provide two half-days of excellent workshop presentations and discussions. Registered attendees won't miss a moment as all sessions will be recorded and accessible to attendees for 3-months following.
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Over the past year the Supportive Housing Community watched people Renewing and Rising, showing us the very best we can be as we strive to build supportive, affordable, and inclusive communities. Help us honor those whose examples inspire our progress.
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Do you know an example of Excellence in Supportive Housing?
Nominate by August 6th — Winners notified by September 1st
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Project of the Year
Use the form below to nominate a supportive housing project which demonstrates excellence. Each project must:
- Receive a certificate of occupancy after April 2020
- Be completed by December 2021
Full eligibility details in linked form below and multiple projects may be selected for this award.
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Housing Hero Leadership
Use the form below to nominate a housing hero who demonstrated leadership and excellence over the past year. Awardees may include but are not limited to:
Executive Directors, Clinical staff, Direct Support Professionals, Administrators, Operations Managers, Tenants, Volunteers, Teams, Elected Officials, Municipalities
Full eligibility details in linked form below and multiple heroes may be selected for this award.
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Resources & Virtual Forums |
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Mutual of America Webinar: Realize the Value of
Building Equity into your Retirement Benefits
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August 10, 2021 | 2:00 PM ET
SHA members are invited to a webinar on 8/10 at 2PM entitled, “Realize the Value of Building Equity into your Retirement Benefits” hosted by Nonstop Wellness and Mutual of America.
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CSH Webinar: Using Assistive Technology
to Support Tenants to Age in Place
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Thursday, August 10, 2021 | 1:00 PM ET
CSH is providing this free webinar on how supportive housing providers can use technology to help older residents stay healthy and thrive.
During this 90-minute webinar, they will discuss the advantages and the barriers of using technology successfully with aging tenants. Topics will include:
- Assistive Technology
- Technology in Design
- Telehealth
- Technology and Community Connection
This webinar is made possible by the generous support of JP Morgan Chase.
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Webinar Series: Coordinating HHS Housing-Related
Supports and Services with HUD Housing Assistance
for People Experiencing Homelessness
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This webinar series will introduce Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), Continuums of Care (CoCs), and other housing stakeholders to U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) opportunities that fund and provide housing-related supports and services. Each webinar will provide information on partnership opportunities and on-the-ground examples of successful approaches to pairing HHS agency resources with HUD housing assistance for people experiencing homelessness, including the 70,000 Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) awarded by HUD to PHAs through the American Rescue Plan (ARP).
The series will introduce HHS opportunities and resources offered by:
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
Training Objectives
Attendees will be equipped to:
- Identify available HHS resources that fund and cover housing-related supports and services in their state and communities
- Locate their state and local agencies responsible for funding and delivering these resources
- Reach out and form partnerships to ensure successful referrals, lease-up, and ongoing tenancy
Who Should Attend?
This series will be informative for affordable housing stakeholders, including PHAs, CoCs, HUD Multifamily operators, affordable housing owners/operators, local funders, and community partners, who are looking to pair services with their housing subsidy to better serve clients experiencing homelessness.
The series will be particularly useful for CoCs and PHAs administering the EHV program; PHAs with a homeless admission preference; and PHAs with a special purpose voucher program such as Mainstream, Family Unification Program, HUD-VASH, etc.
Registration and Schedule
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CMS-Medicaid Resources for Housing Supportive Services
August 12, 2021
3:00 - 4:30 PM EDT
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ACF Resources
for Housing
Supportive Services
August 16, 2021
3:00 - 4:30 PM EDT
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There are many great ways of supporting SHA: Join as a member, send donations, or shop with AmazonSmile. Thank you for your support!
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Want all the member benefits with SHA? Visit our website or contact Joseph Christensen to apply or manage your membership.
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Members can post jobs to find applicants within the wider supportive housing community. Click on the button to visit our job page.
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Diane Riley, Executive Director
Joseph Christensen, Membership & Communication Manager
Kate Kelly, MSW – Integrated Community Project Manager
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Advocate ● Educate ● Support
The Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey unites its diverse coalition of members engaging development, resources, and information to sustain supportive housing systems within New Jersey. Since 1998, our statewide mission seeks to enhance lives and accessibility to enable independent living within our communities.
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Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey
185 Valley Street, South Orange, NJ 07079
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