St. Joseph’s Health introduces NJ’s 1st hospital-based supportive housing

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Barclay Place is now open, marking the first project completed under a state housing program that promotes hospital investment in affordable living options and communities.

St. Joseph’s Health and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency celebrated the debut of the 56-unit community in Paterson July 10. Residences at the five-story property are now available for rent to vulnerable families or individuals, where the health care provider offers supportive services.

The $26 million effort is the result of the NJHMFA’s $12 million Hospital Partnership Subsidy Program: The agency matched funding from St. Joseph’s Health to provide housing affordable to low- and moderate-income families. Additionally, several units are set aside for residents with special needs or frequent users of hospital Emergency Department services, according to St. Joseph’s.

Supportive services available at Barclay Place include on-site nurses and social workers in addition to job training and counseling services; a company representative told NJBIZ the number of support staff at the property is still being determined.

The project was announced in 2019.

“Barclay Place is an important project that addresses critical issues here in our community,” Kevin Slavin, president and CEO, St. Joseph’s Health, said. “Safe and secure housing has a tremendous impact on improving overall health. This unique program gives us the opportunity to provide affordable housing to our local residents and also to enhance their access to public health services.”

New Jersey’s Hospital Partnership Subsidy Program is the first to be created, financed and led by a state agency, according to St. Joseph’s Health.

NJHMFA Executive Director Melanie Walter described Barclay Place as a “landmark achievement.”

“This exciting project is first in a series of impactful health care-oriented developments to come, both in New Jersey and across the United States,” she said. “Barclay Place epitomizes what innovative partnerships can achieve when all of the stakeholders are committed to success.”

Paterson-based New Jersey Community Development Corp. served as project developer and community partner for Barclay Place. The property offers one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.

“NJCDC believes that addressing social determinants of health for our residents is vital to ensuring the success and revitalization of our neighborhood,” Bob Guarasci, founder and CEO of NJCDC, said. “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.”

Nonprofit community development financial institution New Jersey Community Capital, which spearheads the Community Asset Preservation Corp. to assist in stabilizing neighborhoods, served as co-developer for Barclay Place. According to NJCC President and CEO Bernel Hall, “This project represents an investment in the health and welfare of the community, and we are proud this partnership brings housing and community wellness together.”

Studies have shown that these kinds of supportive living arrangements can help to improve the quality of life for individuals and the community, in addition to help saving costs over the long-term.

According to St. Joseph’s Health, Barclay Place currently boasts a 64% occupancy rate with 35 tenants.

Elsewhere in New Jersey University Hospital in Newark is also taking part in the program, which will offer 78 affordable rental apartments in the city’s Fairmont Neighborhood. Work on that effort began in May 2022.

According to NJHMFA, and “prompted by the sterling result of the Barclay Place” the Hospital Subsidy Program will see several more sites like the Paterson property open in the coming months.