Pennrose and its project partners celebrated the grand opening of Village at Harmony Garden in Glassboro.
The $20 million redevelopment will transform the 10-acre former Ellis Manor public housing complex at the corner of Lincoln Boulevard and Higgins Drive.
The brand-new community adds 64 high-quality, 100% affordable apartments and supportive services for seniors age 55-plus and individuals with disabilities, and one resident superintendent unit.
Village at Harmony Garden includes a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments in one-story, cottage-style buildings. All 65 units are fully adaptable, with 14 apartments accessible to residents with physical disabilities and eight units accessible to residents with hearing and vision disabilities.
Additionally, 13 apartments were set aside for non-age restricted individuals with developmental disabilities and four will be set aside for individuals over 55 with developmental disabilities. The project is 100% affordable, with all apartments available at or below 50% Area Median Income of Gloucester County, $39,100 for a single-person household.
The senior housing community was designed to improve comfort, accessibility, independence and quality of life for residents. The apartments feature open floorplans with spacious closets; modern kitchen with dishwasher and electric range; in-unit washer and dryer; individually controlled heating and cooling; and more. Residents also have access to a 2,908-square-foot community building with a community room, fitness room and supportive services center. Outside of the community building is a garden for residents to grow their own vegetables, as well as a gazebo and on-site parking. The community is Energy Star Certified.
“The Housing Authority and borough of Glassboro have worked tirelessly to redevelop the former Ellis Manor public housing complex and transform an integral, yet blighted, section of the community into high-quality, affordable housing,” Jacob Fisher, regional vice president at Pennrose said. “Village at Harmony Garden will serve as a catalyst for continued revitalization, while also providing seniors and individuals with disabilities with housing and tailored supportive services to live in place comfortably and successfully.”
“The entire project underscores the potential that exists with underutilized properties and how they can be repurposed to benefit residents in our communities,” Glassboro Mayor John Wallace III said. “Housing is a human right, and we will continue supporting transformative projects like the Village at Harmony Garden to tackle the housing crisis and make Glassboro a more affordable place for all.”
All apartments at Village at Harmony Garden will have rent supported by GHA project-based vouchers. Pennrose also partnered with PennReach to provide robust on-site supportive services for individuals with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities. With 17 of the units being referred by PennReach, these rental vouchers will ensure they are able to live safely and independently in a community with their peers.
Financing partners include the New Jersey Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency, Bank of America, Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, Gloucester County, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the borough of Glassboro.
