Interfaith Neighbors Introduces New Housing Options To City’s West Side
Turf Club and Rights of Passage address housing gaps and offers future stability
Two new developments aimed at addressing a gap in housing needs and creating a more stable future for its residents will be constructed by Interfaith Neighbors in the city’s west side community.
The first is Turf Club – a phased project named for the once popular entertainment venue set to begin construction this spring along Springwood Avenue [at right] across from Springwood Avenue Park.
What makes the Turf Club project unique is that it will not only offer many first time home buyers an affordable option but an adjacent income property.
The 10 duplex format will be developed in phases with each owner occupied home featuring a ground floor one bedroom and second story two bedroom option.
The second project – Rights of Passage will offer a temporary home for men ages 18 to 22, as the work to transition out of homelessness.
“It’s partly based on our experience running the NJ Youth Corp program for kids 16 to 25 that lack a high school diploma that the young adults in this city of Asbury Park lack stable housing are in fact are effectively homeless,” said Paul McEvily Associate Executive Director [at right].
Located along Prospect Avenue, the home will consist of five bedrooms with en suites, a communal living room and kitchen, and secured storage and bicycle racks in garage space [below gallery].
To be operated by Covenant House, the program comes with a probation period that requires tenants to adhere to a curfew, outline career and educational goals, create budget and share in the home’s maintenance responsibilities. A staff member will be on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and no alcohol, drugs, or overnight guest will be permitted.
The average length of stay is estimated to be 18 months said Covenant House’s Mary McDonald. The 520 Prospect Avenue lot was subdivided to accommodate a sister home for women should the development and program prove successful.
Interfaith Neighbors has constructed well over 40 detached, single-family, affordable homes throughout the city’s west side, with 39 of them still owned and occupied by the original homebuyer or family, McEvily said.
“These are not houses that are purchased to flip,” he said. “These are houses for families with well established roots in the community.
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