Two New Group Homes for Developmentally Disabled Planned For Middletown

Two group homes for low-income, developmentally disabled adults with vision impairment are being planned for two undeveloped lots in Middletown.

The housing on Middletown Avenue and Chestunut Avenue are being built through a partnership between Middletown Township and the non-profit Housing and United Services of Leonardo and will provide a permanent home for eight people with special needs. 

Although they have not yet been fully designed yet, the group homes are envisioned to be up to 3,500 square feet and designed in the Arts and Crafts style of the existing neighborhood architecture.

A two-story building will be situated on the eastern end of Middletown Avenue. A one-story building will be built near the tennis courts on Chestnut. Each will have four bedrooms/bathroom/living room units, and a common dining space. 

"Right now in the process, we are at the final stages of obtaining site control from the township and about to go into the design phase work," said Housing & United Services Executive Director Michael T. Marrazzo. He said that in 2009, Middletown agreed to sell the land for $1 to the non-profit. A developer's agreement was signed in 2010. 

The US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development is providing the Section 8-11 funding and rental assistance to the future residents for 40 years. There is also construction funding from the county HOMES program and a federal loan from the Bank of New York. "We're hoping to have a groundbreaking this summer," he said.  

"The township sees a public benefit, obviously, to provide housing opportunities to lower and moderate income households, particularly for those to live independently," said Township Planner Jason Greenspan. "It also satisfies a portion of our housing obligation as mandated by the Council on Affordable Housing." 

There are approximately 300 people living in state institutions who are developmentally disabled with some kind of visual impairment or blindness who would qualify for the housing, said Morasco. They would have apply to live in the Middletown homes.  

"This is actually a dream of mine, personally," said Marrazzo, who is blind, who has been working on the plan with Middletown since 2008. 

A non profit agency called Development Disablilities has been contracted to provide appropriate round-the-clock support services, a visiting nurse, and a van. Residents will sign agreements to participate in adult day care, part-time work or similar activities. They will also have access to public transportation on Route 36 and pay a portion of their income towards the rent. 

A list of projects being steered through the funding process by the county: 

Asbury Park

• Interfaith Neighbors-Dewitt I Subdivision: $249,875
• Funds will be used for new construction of three single family affordable residences.
• Interfaith Neighbors-Dewitt II Subdivision $265,000 
• Funds will be used for new construction of three single family affordable residences.

Tinton Falls: Meadowbrook II Apartments $500,000 

Funds will be used for new construction of four one bedroom units of a 64-unit one and two bedroom apartment building for elderly and disabled individuals.

Middletown Homes-2009

• Chestnut Avenue $112,670
• Funds will be used for new construction of a single family residence for 4 very low-income developmentally disabled individuals.

• Middletown Avenue $112,670
• Funds will be used for new construction of a single family residence for 4 very low-income developmentally disabled individuals.

Long Branch: Schoolhouse Square $250,000
Funds will be used for new construction of five three bedroom affordable, income restricted, duplex and townhome units of a 58-unit development.