A new collaboration was announced between Healthcare Anchor Network member RWJBarnabas Health, Pennrose, LLC, the City of Newark, and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) under the agency’s Hospital Partnership Subsidy Program. The program views housing as key to maintaining good health and looks to the role of hospitals as anchor institutions in the community to partner with. Under the program, NJHMFA will match funding contributions from RWJBarnabas Health to develop 65-70 affordable rental apartments in Newark’s South Ward for low- and moderate-income families and for special needs residents.
“Ensuring that all individuals have access to safe, stable and affordable housing is a critical component to build healthier communities,“ said Barry H. Ostrowsky, President and Chief Executive Officer of RWJBarnabas Health. “RWJBarnabas Health and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center have worked diligently with our partners to develop systems that address social issues such as food security, community safety, workforce development and enhancing the capacity of local vendors within Newark. The Hospital Partnership Subsidy Program allows us to extend our commitment to residents within the South Ward.”