A long overdue cultural shift is happening whereby housing for individuals with disabilities is being more regularly integrated into communities. To families of individuals who require specialized living situations, this change is welcome. They can have peace of mind knowing their loved ones will be safe, thrive and live a more independent life within a development.

One such community is Weinberg Commons in Cherry Hill. The new, 55-and-over rental complex, located at 1721 Springdale Road, provides more than just housing. In total there will be eight special needs suites once the second phase is complete (four quads within each of two phases: Phase 1 and 2). These suites are self-contained, connecting four individual apartments with a larger communal living area, kitchen and bath. Each apartment also has its own living area, bedroom, kitchen and bath combining independence and privacy with the community of peers. Weinberg Commons will offer high-quality, safe, and affordable housing for older adults and individuals with special needs.

Applicants for cottage units do not need to meet the age requirement. They provide Weinberg residents with control over social interaction and use of support services, yet the freedom to enjoy the privacy and independence of their own home.

Jennifer Dubrow Weiss, secretary and chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, the nonprofit organization spearheading the project, said it was a dream of hers and of her parents for as long as she could remember to build affordable housing for people with developmental disabilities. The Jewish Federation has been providing services to people with special needs for decades.

“One of the most important things that was missing was affordable housing. Weinberg Commons offers that plus a sense of community,” Dubrow Weiss said.

The Jewish Federation was awarded tax credits for both Phase I & Phase II. The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Inc. awarded a $2.5-million grant and a $2.37-million grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. TD Charitable Foundation’s Housing for Everyone pitched in a $125,000 grant. Other contributions from the community made the project possible.

Weinberg Commons was developed in partnership with Pennrose LLC. When the Jewish Federation set out to find a developer, it was evident that Pennrose, a name synonymous with developing and managing high-quality affordable communities that transform lives, had all the right pieces to complete the puzzle.

Jacob Fisher serves as Pennrose’s regional vice president. In this role, he oversees all development activity in New Jersey. Fisher brings more than 10 years of experience to Pennrose and has been instrumental in working with partners from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to bring development projects to fruition. He has secured financing and led award-winning development teams on more than 1,100 units of new housing, with a total investment worth more than $300 million.

More than 30 percent of Cherry Hill residents are over the age of 55 but only a small percentage of the region’s housing stock is available for rent or is affordable. Further, according to the New Jersey Department of Developmental Disabilities, there are over 11,000 adults with developmental disabilities on waiting lists for stable housing. These factors are why Pennrose wanted to partner with the Jewish Federation.

Fisher said it was the Pennrose’s hope to build a place that would allow seniors to age within the community where they have lived and worked and provide opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities to live close to family support in a service-rich environment.

In addition, services like home care, home-based nursing, health and wellness programming, meal programs, social work coordination, special needs programming and even arts and culture classes will be available to all residents. Some older adults have mobility issues or have trouble completing everyday tasks – like opening a cabinet or grasping a doorknob. Help is available to such residents.

Dubrow Weiss said many people with special needs choose to live in supportive group homes with other people who have special needs. The residents can cook in their own units or eat in a communal dining hall, and they receive non-skilled care in their units, including assistance with tasks in their cottage.

Housing assistance available to people with disabilities also varies. The programs range from offering low-income housing to living assistance.

Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS) is the provider of services for individuals with special needs within the complex, offering 24/7 direct care support as needed. A director of residential services hired by JFCS will oversee the hiring, training and scheduling of the support staff as well as all operational and programmatic needs of the community. JFCS will be responsible for coordinating a calendar of activities and offering social and educational programs.

Phase two of Weinberg Commons will include a commissary, where residents can shop for basic needs, learn job skills or even volunteer.

“At Pennrose, our priority is to transform lives through high-quality housing. We can only do this by creating residential communities that are designed to meet the specific needs of its residents,” said Fisher. “Pennrose had a goal of creating affordable housing for adults with disabilities and the chance to stay close to their families, yet be provided with the chance at independence.”

At Pennrose, our priority is to transform lives through high-quality housing. We can only do this by creating residential communities that are designed to meet the specific needs of its residents.
– Jacob Fisher, Pennrose regional
vice president

In New Jersey, Pennrose operates several other senior housing communities, including City View Landing in Newark, Freedom Village in Paterson, Residence at Roosevelt Park in Edison and Pellettieri Homes in Trenton.

Sponsors say Weinberg Commons will be the first in the Cherry Hill area to employ a supportive housing model for those with special needs and disabilities.

Pennrose is the development partner on the project with the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, Kitchen & Associates Architectural of Collingswood is the architect on record. Ingerman Construction is the general contractor – also located in Collingswood.