Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, is now accepting applications for its Healing Homes initiative which offers transitional housing for Somerset County individuals or families who have an illness that caused financial hardship and are unable to afford housing.
As part of RWJBarnabas Health’s Social Impact and Community Investment Practice, the hospital launched Healing Homes in 2019 with one home in Somerville and helped a family transition to permanent housing in 2021. A second home in Somerville was renovated by the hospital in 2022. Furnishings for the homes were generously donated by Acme Drapemaster Inc. and Flemington Department Store.
Applications for Healing Homes are accepted through March 15.
“At Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, we understand that health care is more than just providing medical treatment within the walls of the hospital. Health outcomes are impacted by a variety of social and economic factors, including access to safe and affordable housing,” said Patrick Delaney, chief administrative officer, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset. “By providing a place to live and connecting them to community resources, Healing Homes helps individuals who are coping with an illness and facing financial challenges to improve their overall health and become financially independent.”
An assigned case manager will refer participants in Healing Homes to resources that are designed to help with their individually identified health issues as well as community resources that offer support for basic needs such as employment, transportation, social services and permanent housing.
The hospital’s two Healing Homes are two-bedroom ranch homes. One home is handicapped accessible. Each home is available to a single individual or a single family of no more than four.
To be considered for Healing Homes, participants must meet specific criteria for consideration, such as: have an illness that has caused financial hardship and makes them unable to afford housing and /or basic cost of living; have limited access to health care; are employed with a steady income but earn below the New Jersey Housing and Urban Development (HUD) income guidelines. Additionally, participants in Healing Homes must demonstrate a willingness to achieve the goals identified by the case manager in their individual progress plan to improve their circumstances.
Preference will be given to residents in the towns identified in the hospital’s Community Health Needs Assessment with a median household income below the Somerset County average (Bound Brook, South Bound Brook, North Plainfield, Somerset, Franklin and Manville).
RWJUH Somerset’s Healing Homes initiative is guided by a committee that includes representatives from the following organizations: Affinity Federal Credit Union, Bonnie Brae, Central Jersey Housing Resource Center, Pioneer Family Success Center, Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board, Habitat for Humanity, Safe and Sound, Somerset County Board of Social Services, Somerset County Community Development, Somerset County Health Department and Housing Authority, Somerset County Human Services, United Way’s Alice Project of Northern New Jersey and Zarephath Christian Church.
For more information about Healing Homes and an application, please visit www.rwjbh.org/somersethealinghomes or call RWJUH Somerset’s Community Health Department at (908) 685-2814.