Miss-Delectable
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- Apr 18, 2004
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http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060613/LIFE03/606130357/1074/LIFE
Special needs housing, whether for senior citizens, low income or the disabled, always appears to be an insurmountable problem. Put all three statistics together and you come up with a mind-boggling situation that, for all practical purposes, is impossible.
Luckily, there are advocates who don't believe this and strive to open doors that appear locked. The New Jersey Association of the Deaf Inc. sponsored a meeting on the topic of the "Future of New Jersey Deaf and Hard of Hearing Senior Housing."
Encouraged by a visit to Wisconsin's Water Tower View, Lila Taylor of the Deaf Senior Citizens of Northwest Jersey arranged the meeting with Cardinal Capital Management Inc. to discuss the possibilities here in New Jersey. Cardinal Capital Management supports affordable housing projects that focus on the deaf, hard of hearing and deaf/blind senior citizens. It provides services to get projects like Water Tower View off the ground.
Apartment for the deaf
Water Tower View is a three-story, 43-unit, one- and two-bedroom apartment building exclusively for deaf and hard-of-hearing seniors. It is the first building of its kind in Wisconsin and one of only a handful nationwide. It opened Nov. 21, 2005, and was fully rented in 90 days. There is already a waiting list.
The needs of the different disabled groups vary, and the deaf are no exception. There are communication solutions that must be addressed for those who sign or lip read, including lighting, visual access, special safety issues and emergency preparedness.
Erich Schwenker of Cardinal Capital Management spoke about the need for senior housing here in New Jersey for the deaf culture.
"It is an act of faith," he said about the objective to form an executive committee from all the deaf groups in the state. This leadership will be the first step in looking into finances, taking recommendations where to build, and pursuing the types of fundraising that must be done.
Important questions
Other questions and concerns include: What income levels in New Jersey must be recognized? Will it be independent living only?Will New Jersey want rental and ownership units? These are important inquiries for any grassroots group to explore before starting on the journey toward building any facility.
Sean Gerlis, president of the NJAD, spoke about the "variety of individuals needed to form a community forum for ideas."With 30 organizations for the deaf and hard of hearing listed in New Jersey, he was confident that an executive committee could be rallied from these groups. A unique, one-of-a-kind place could flourish here.
"Are we interested?" he asked, and there was a resounding "yes." Hope was filling the meeting room for this fraction of the disabled population that has been ignored for far too long.
"Proof that dreams do come true" is the banner for Water Tower View in Wisconsin. With political clout and backing from interested parties, New Jersey can, and hopefully will, build a home for deaf seniors that other states will want to copy in the very near future.
Special needs housing, whether for senior citizens, low income or the disabled, always appears to be an insurmountable problem. Put all three statistics together and you come up with a mind-boggling situation that, for all practical purposes, is impossible.
Luckily, there are advocates who don't believe this and strive to open doors that appear locked. The New Jersey Association of the Deaf Inc. sponsored a meeting on the topic of the "Future of New Jersey Deaf and Hard of Hearing Senior Housing."
Encouraged by a visit to Wisconsin's Water Tower View, Lila Taylor of the Deaf Senior Citizens of Northwest Jersey arranged the meeting with Cardinal Capital Management Inc. to discuss the possibilities here in New Jersey. Cardinal Capital Management supports affordable housing projects that focus on the deaf, hard of hearing and deaf/blind senior citizens. It provides services to get projects like Water Tower View off the ground.
Apartment for the deaf
Water Tower View is a three-story, 43-unit, one- and two-bedroom apartment building exclusively for deaf and hard-of-hearing seniors. It is the first building of its kind in Wisconsin and one of only a handful nationwide. It opened Nov. 21, 2005, and was fully rented in 90 days. There is already a waiting list.
The needs of the different disabled groups vary, and the deaf are no exception. There are communication solutions that must be addressed for those who sign or lip read, including lighting, visual access, special safety issues and emergency preparedness.
Erich Schwenker of Cardinal Capital Management spoke about the need for senior housing here in New Jersey for the deaf culture.
"It is an act of faith," he said about the objective to form an executive committee from all the deaf groups in the state. This leadership will be the first step in looking into finances, taking recommendations where to build, and pursuing the types of fundraising that must be done.
Important questions
Other questions and concerns include: What income levels in New Jersey must be recognized? Will it be independent living only?Will New Jersey want rental and ownership units? These are important inquiries for any grassroots group to explore before starting on the journey toward building any facility.
Sean Gerlis, president of the NJAD, spoke about the "variety of individuals needed to form a community forum for ideas."With 30 organizations for the deaf and hard of hearing listed in New Jersey, he was confident that an executive committee could be rallied from these groups. A unique, one-of-a-kind place could flourish here.
"Are we interested?" he asked, and there was a resounding "yes." Hope was filling the meeting room for this fraction of the disabled population that has been ignored for far too long.
"Proof that dreams do come true" is the banner for Water Tower View in Wisconsin. With political clout and backing from interested parties, New Jersey can, and hopefully will, build a home for deaf seniors that other states will want to copy in the very near future.