At Monday's agenda-fixing session, City Council President Bridget Rivers announced there would be no discussion of the Housing Authority of Plainfield's proposal to build on two city-owned lots, but more details emerged on another project, the conversion of YMCA space to 30 apartments for young adults aging out of foster care.
The YMCA has had a foster care program since 1987 (see here). When foster children reach 18, they "age out" of care programs and are more or less on their own. The YMCA is proposing to convert space now occupied by its 60 current single-room occupancy (SRO) for men into 30 efficiency apartments for low-income young adults aging out of foster care. The residents will pay no more than 30 percent of their earnings for rent and will receive intensive supportive services to help them learn to live independently.
The YMCA's location at 518 Watchung Avenue gives residents easy access to public transportation as well as nearby stores, restaurants, Union County College and other community resources, the agency said in a description of the program. It was identified as "a natural centerpiece of the YMCA's evolving Youth Development programs."
At Monday's City Council meeting, YMCA president and CEO Ravenell Williams IV said the agency will be applying for HMFA tax credits, among other funding sources. The apartments will be on the second and third floors of the building and will not affect the emergency shelter on the main floor. Williams was accompanied by YMCA Board Chairman Kieran Anderson. (Click here to see more about the YMCA.)
Councilwoman Tracey Brown said as a former juvenile officer she felt the proposal was "an excellent idea." Councilwoman Gloria Taylor said she was just concerned about "people who have issues" that might result in complaints about loitering and such.
The council agreed to put a resolution "authorizing the determination of a special needs project" for the YMCA on the agenda for the March 10 regular meeting. The YMCA expects to seek 4 percent tax credits in the second quarter of 2014 and to start construction in the first quarter of 2015.
--Bernice
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Well... as usual.. Gloria can take a great idea and find the ugly.. I mean... hell.. around the corner and down the street you have the grandest source of loitering and other issues, but lets go for kids who are forced out of foster care at the age of 18. I've been a foster parent..do some of these kids have issues ?? Yep. Do most of them respond to support, structure and concern?? YEP.
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent idea and hope it moves forward.
I guess when it's not one of her buddies on the gravy train a helping hand can seem foreign to those entrenched in the corrupt system of Plainfield politics.
AMEN to all of your comment
DeleteSo now what happens to the 60 men presently there ? Do they become homeless is this really all about tax credits and funding.
ReplyDeleteread it again mr x the first floor will be for emergency shelters.
ReplyDeleteSuggest you read it carefully Mr. or Ms. Anonymous. There is a big difference between SROs and emergency shelter. The former is a private room, while the latter is a bed in a dormitory style room. The question is valid regarding the fate of the 60 men.
DeleteCurrent residents in the SRO upstairs will be evaluated by Bridgeway to best determine their needs and options. The budget for the Age Out Project includes a line item to assist all SRO residents in their relocation. No one will be forced onto the street. The Y takes great pride in the work we do and the people we serve, whether it families w/o homes in our emergency shelter, the children in our Foster Care Program (RAP) or the men upstairs in our SRO Program. If you have specific questions or concerns, I can be reached directly at: kierananderson@mac.com.
ReplyDeleteDear friend, who asked me to reread the article. its evident that your not familar with the history of S.R.O at the y.m.c.a. The 60 residents are not there under emergency housing many have jobs and pay rent and been there for years. were talking about two different things nevertheless lets meet at say a volunteer soup kitchen, or lets work with people with h.i.v or lets start re entry program me and you thats my mission in the city. Not blog duel the offer is there. working for peace, progress, and prosperity in plfd for all. MR. X
ReplyDeleteThere is a re-entry program in Plainfield. If that is your interest I would like to talk to you. As there are several "Anonymous" identities on this blog it is not possible to determine who you are. Rev. Ron Thomas
DeleteMr. X and Ron Thomas, regarding your to request to jointly meet at a soup kitchen, I extend an invitation to both of you to meet at the Muslim Community Soup Kitchen at 321 Grant Avenue from 1 PM to 2 PM any Saturday to volunteer to serve those in need and further discuss your future plans. You can reach me at selamin315@aol.com or stop by my business at 360 Leland Ave. to arrange a time with the Soup Kitchen Administrator, Faheemah S. El-Amin.
ReplyDeleteBernice it will be interesting to see if any council members recuse themselves. because of conflict of interest issues i.e. bridgeway, plfd got to love it.
ReplyDelete