Ingerman Affordable Housing and BCM Affordable Housing joined forces to develop Reinhard Manor. Reinhard Manor is an affordable senior rental project located at 350 Outlook Avenue in Colonia, NJ which comprises the adaptive reuse of the 2 and 16 school site. Construction began in the late fall of 2013 and was completed in the spring of 2015. The community includes 62 one and two-bedroom LIHTC apartments (54 one and 8 two-bedroom units). In excess of 40% of the units will fall within the footprint of the existing school while the remaining units along with the community room and the leasing office will fall within a new, adjoining mid-rise structure along with 62 off street parking spaces, a gazebo, an abundance of storage and a suite for the social service providers. The buildings also contain: the leasing/management office, maintenance shop and a furnished community room with a warming kitchen for events. Financing of this project was provided via a combination of equity from the syndication of Low Income Housing Tax Credits from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, the donation of the land from the Woodbridge Affordable Housing Corp. and a mortgage from the NJHMFA.
The development designated 100% of the units for households at least 55 years of age or older. Incomes of the residents are restricted to those who earn no more than 60% of the Middlesex County median. The market availability in Colonia for senior housing is limited. The existing housing stock consists mainly of well maintained single family homes along with some market rate family apartment buildings none of which provide adequate handicapped accessible units or the level of senior services that are found at Reinhard Manor. Additionally, the seniors in the area no longer want to live independently in homes that contain stairs and lack grab bars but at the same time do not want to leave their neighborhood.
A short distance from the site is the center of Colonia’s shopping district which features an abundance of shopping and dining opportunities, grocery stores, houses of worship and doctor’s offices. A half a block from the site is a municipal park and within a short drive is the expansive Woodbridge Mall. Finally the building is situated approximately ¾ of a mile from two bus stops and the Metropark Train Station.
The project also offers its residents a complete social service package. The social services will include a part time case manager who is responsible for instituting linkages with area service providers, including mental health counseling, substance abuse programs and counseling, transportation, legal advocacy and host of medical services provided through local providers. All of these services are being provided within the social services suite, or in the resident’s apartment, whichever is more appropriate.