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SPECIAL NEEDS HOUSING PLAN IN WORKS

Record - 12/7/2017

FRANKLIN LAKES -- By this time next year, more than three dozen people with physical and developmental disabilities could call Franklin Lakes home.

Work has begun on a 40-apartment special needs housing project at the intersection of McCoy and Colonial roads.

The project is expected to take a year to complete, according to developer Joseph Alpert of Franklin Lakes Supportive Housing Urban Renewal LLC, a partnership between the Alpert Group and the Housing Development Corporation of Bergen County. Once done, it will be open to individuals with developmental and physical disabilities, with preference given to those with Asperger's syndrome or multiple sclerosis.

"We are very excited about the prospect of providing sorely needed housing for those with special needs in our community," said Mayor Frank Bivona.

The borough purchased the 14-acre site in 2013 from Temple Emanuel of North Jersey for $2 million. The money came from the borough's Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

An old house on the property was demolished to make way for the complex, which will include five two-story buildings with eight units each, plus a central community building.

Alpert said the $11 million project is being financed with a combination of funds from the borough, the county, and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.

Borough Administrator Gregory Hart said that because the borough is receiving affordable-housing credits for the project, Franklin Lakes residents cannot get preference when determining who will be chosen to live in the project.

Email: stoltz@northjersey.com

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