Expanding to Plainsboro

By Eamon Bencivengo
Despite the ominous Ides of March, on March 15^th I accompanied Tom and Shari down to the pastoral landscape of Plainsboro, NJ.  Our task for the day was to meet with the Plainsboro Director of Planning and the Borough Administrator to discuss the potential for constructing a special needs housing project in their municipality.  Our interest in Plainsboro arose in the same manner of many of our other projects: through the collaboration with an active parent of a special needs child living in the community.  Maintaining a healthy collaboration with such parents is a vital component of creating a successful project because municipalities are much more receptive to approving the project if it is supported by local taxpayers.  Therefore, as Tom, Shari, and I walked into the Plainsboro Town Hall, we were accompanied by the mother of a special needs child.  Our meeting with the Borough Administrator and the Director of Planning was very positive, as they were impressed with the renderings of our previous projects and our reputable resume.  Surprisingly, however, we were informed that Plainsboro has large areas of protected land and therefore does not have many parcels of land available which are suitable for new construction.  Yet after the meeting, Tom, Shari, and I identified a few properties potentially suitable for rehabilitation.  Also, the parent who accompanied us to the meeting located some sites of open land that could suit our project needs. So, despite the minor setback, the potential for a special needs housing project in Plainsboro is still strong!  

Defending our Home Application

By Eamon Bencivengo

On Tuesday March 12^th, Shari and I drove south to Monmouth County.  We were not headed to the beach, but rather to Freehold to defend our HOME Application to the Monmouth County Planning Board.  Back in January we had submitted an application for the Monmouth County HOME Grant Program to secure funding for our upcoming special needs housing project in Colts Neck.  With our presentation time set for 1:15, Shari had made plans with Vince Scanelli, who was to accompany us in the presentation, to meet for lunch at noon to prepare and review our materials.  Vince is the President of Someone Special Needs You, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to providing social activities for special needs children.  Someone Special Needs You, Inc. is currently designated as the owner of the Colts Neck Project and will maintain ownership after its completion.

            Over sandwiches at a local café, we reviewed our notes and speaking points for the presentation.  By 1:15 we were standing in front of a ten-person review committee.  With the project renderings mounted behind us, Shari answered questions regarding the development of the project, while Vince educated the committee on the desperate need for permanent housing for special needs individuals.  As I glanced around the room, I saw several positive and interested expressions on the faces of the committee.  Hopefully, those expressions will mean that we will be awarded funding for the project!

The Suburbanite Interview

By Jenai - United Way Housing Coordinator

“I’m so proud of him.”  That’s what Brian’s mom said after he finished an interview with The Suburbanite earlier this week.  The paper interviewed two of the residents living at The Roberts House in order to paint a picture for local residents where group homes will be rehabbed as part of the DCA/DDD Special Needs Housing Partnership Loan Program.  The converted ranch homes will house 4 individuals with developmental disabilities.

Brian and John spoke about what it’s been like to be living on their own for the past 16 months. They also talked about how they share chores, and what types of hobbies they enjoy when they aren’t working.

The BCUW/Madeline Partnership is collaborating with Advancing Opportunities to rehab a second home.  Advancing Opportunities will be the service provider, helping the new residents to integrate into the community.

Look for the article and photographs in the paper this week.