Cape Manor Dedicated in West Cape May

WEST CAPE MAY- The ribbon was cut to open Cape Manor, affordable supportive housing project for individuals with special needs at a ceremony Wed., Sept. 22.
The new structure appears to be a single-family home at 339 Fifth Ave. but actually houses seven apartments with kitchens and bathrooms. The project is a result of a collaborative effort between local government, a supportive services organization and an affordable housing developer.
Newly constructed on land donated by the Borough of West Cape May, Cape Manor will offer affordable permanent housing to individuals with mental and developmental disabilities, specifically young adults with autism spectrum disorders.
Cape Manor Supportive Housing is made possible through a partnership with the West Cape May, Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey, Inc. (CSP-NJ), and Community Investment Strategies, Inc. (CIS). Kitchen & Associates were design architects for Cape Manor. The building will be managed and operated by CSP-NJ, a nationally recognized innovative mental health service organization.
Funding for the project was provided by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Special Needs Trust Fund, The Reinvestment Fund’s PLAN Program, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Small Cities Program, State Rental Assistance Program, State Division of Mental Health Services and the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York’s Affordable Housing Program.
The ribbon cutting ceremony featured Mayor Pamela Kaithern, Anthony Marchetta, Executive Director of the Housing Mortgage Finance Agency and Lopa P. Kolluri, Vice President, Community Investment Strategies.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world,” said Kaithern.
She said the project was the best example of community team work anyone could ever hope for as a partnership between a non-profit organization, a for profit corporation and a municipality combining funding from federal, state and local sources.
In addition, the project satisfied an important part of the borough’s state Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) obligations for West Cape May, said Kaithern.
Cape Manor has a community room on the first floor, a large front porch and a balcony on the second floor. Residents will begin moving in on November 1.