Federal HUD secretary visits Jersey City to announce $9.7 million in scarce funding will help complete Duncan Avenue housing
Thursday, June 03, 2010
By CHARLES HACK
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan came to Jersey City yesterday to announce that the Jersey City Housing Authority is receiving $9.7 million in federal funds to help build the Gloria Robinson Court Homes on Duncan Avenue near Routes 1 & 9. The JCHA is among just six housing authorities nationwide to receive a share of the $110 million HOPEVI federal funds this year.
The Gloria Robinson Court Homes is replacing the old A. Harry Moore complex, which is nearly completely demolished. When completed, the Gloria Robinson Homes will contain 268 units, including 233 affordable rental units, 27 market rate rentals, and four two-family homes.
"This was an excellent proposal. Communities across the countries competed for just six grants," U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez said yesterday. "We here in New Jersey are getting two and one is here in Jersey City. That speaks volumes."
Mayor Jerramiah Healy and U.S. Rep. Albio Sires, D-West New York, joined Menendez, the HUD secretary, JCHA Chairman and commissioner Raj Mukherji and JCHA Executive Director Maria Maio for the announcement.
Six pre-kindergarten classes will be established at the site, officials said yesterday. The JCHA also intends to provide job-placement services to residents.
Donovan noted that the Jersey City application scored high marks because of the "connection between housing and opportunity, particularly in education."
Roughly $69 million is needed to complete the project, the bulk of which is being paid for through the federal Low-Income Tax Credit program and other loans and grants, Mukherji said.
The project is named in honor of tenant activist Gloria Robinson.
