NORTH CAPE MAY — Haven House at Saint John of God is currently celebrating the 10th anniversary of its opening.
Haven House at Saint John of God, which opened in March 2008, is a 75-unit, one bedroom senior affordable housing project which is age and income restricted. It is located on the Saint John Neumann Church campus in North Cape May.
Haven House is the sixth project for Diocesan Housing Services Corporation of the Diocese of Camden. The project utilized HUD-202, Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and New Jersey State HOME subsidy funding to construct the development. The Diocesan Housing Services provides daily property management, social service coordination, maintenance and asset management of the facility. Amenities include laundry facilities, computer lab and community room with a big screen television with the Nintendo Wii and a shuffle board.
Nestled between Sandman Boulevard and Town Bank Road, the building has quiet areas for walking and biking. Businesses are close by for shopping. The location also is close to beach and promenade areas in downtown Cape May . (Victorian Towers, the other Housing Services senior site, located in the center of Cape May on Washington Street, is adjacent to the Washington Street Mall and only two blocks from the beach and promenade as well as restaurants and entertainment.)
On Wednesday, April 18, at 1 p.m., residents and Diocesan Housing Services staff members will join in the community room for a luncheon to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
When the site was dedicated in 2008, Bishop Joseph Galante stated the importance of having affordable housing, saying, “Affordable housing is a basic human right. We as a church are committed to ensuring that every person, especially the most vulnerable among us, has access to decent, affordable housing that not only provides adequate shelter but allows the person to live in a way worthy of their God-given dignity.”
Diocesan Housing Services Corporation said in a statement, “We keep this initiative alive by providing safe, comfortable and affordable apartments and by offering activities developed by staff to discern the interests of our residents while also collaborating with and inviting local, county and state programs and organizations for the benefit of the resident community. Zumba classes, art classes, pottery class, and candy making are popular. The Diocesan Housing Services staff also host health fairs and health related classes for our residents.”
Applications are available. Eligible applicants should be 62 years of age and have qualifying income. For more information, contact the property management office at 609-884-4548.