Naomi’s Way, a 12-unit shelter in New Brunswick, N.J., had been providing transitional housing for special-needs single homeless women and their children.
About a year ago, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, N.J., which operates Naomi’s Way, decided to convert the building to permanent housing. But it only had about $100,000 for much-needed renovations, and its initial plan was limited to redoing the kitchens in each apartment and making other, cosmetic changes, like replacing sliding closet doors with doors that swung open.
All-Phase Consulting Services, a general contractor in Perth Amboy, N.J., was hired to do most of that work.
Then the scope of the project broadened dramatically, thanks to the involvement of American Standard, the plumbing brand of Lixil, whose corporate headquarters is in nearby Piscataway, N.J.
American Standard donated in excess of $100,000 in products—including faucets, fixtures, and vanities—and remodeling costs, which allowed Catholic Charities to gut and redo each apartment’s bathroom. Then Philips, based in Somerset, N.J., donated all of the LED light fixtures. Leviton, which is based in Melville, N.Y., donated the switch/light outlet covers and AFCI outlets.
Fifty-five employees from American Standard and Philips volunteered to paint the apartments over a five-day period. Sherwin-Williams’ retail store in North Brunswick, N.J. donated the paint.
This corporate largesse “kind of turned this into a full-building renovation,” says Richard Matarangelo, Catholic Charities’ Facilities Maintenance Manager, who is supervising this project. He was able to replace the windows in the bathrooms with energy efficient windows with frosted glass, supplied by Silver Line Building Products, which is based in North Brunswick Township, N.J.
Richard Matarangelo, facilities maintenance manager for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, N.J., who is supervising the renovation of Naomi's Way to become permanent affordable housing. Image: BD+C
During the renovation, some residents who had been living at Naomi’s Way were relocated to one of Catholic Charities’ other shelter. (Statewide, Catholic Charities operates about 30 buildings with around 100 apartments.)
Naomi’s Way’s renovation is scheduled for completion on July 1.
Each apartment is getting new kitchen cabinets, faucets, and sinks. Some will also get new appliances. Image: BD+C
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Dec 11, 2018
62-story luxury rental tower provides 40,000 sf of indoor and outdoor amenities in Manhattan
CetraRuddy designed the building.
Multifamily Housing | Dec 6, 2018
JCJ Architecture to design new housing facility for Barrier Free Living
The non-profit’s new facility will provide housing and support services for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities.
Sponsored | Multifamily Housing | Dec 5, 2018
Apartment community connects friends and neighbors through indoor-outdoor amenities
Hubbard Place is a 44-story, 450-unit apartment community in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, an established tech hub in the downtown area. The building has an entire floor dedicated to communal and entertainment amenities.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 26, 2018
Yarn works: Neverending yarn
111-year-old mill becomes a mixed-income multifamily community.
Multifamily Housing | Nov 20, 2018
Designs unveiled for new residential tower in Honolulu
Studio Gang pays homage to sugarcane plants that were once prevalent in this area.
Multifamily Housing | Nov 14, 2018
BIG’s ‘wooden hillside’ residential building in Stockholm officially opens
The building spans 270,000 sf.
Market Data | Nov 14, 2018
A new Joint Center report finds aging Americans less prepared to afford housing
The study foresees a significant segment of seniors struggling to buy or rent on their own or with other people.
Multifamily Housing | Oct 26, 2018
Future proofing multifamily housing amenities for Generation Z
How does a multifamily property developer or operator make a smart investment in amenities that will give the project long-term value?
Multifamily Housing | Oct 23, 2018
A threesome of transit-oriented projects
Developers and their project teams are recognizing the value of walkability, convenient neighborhood services, and transit access, as these three TODs demonstrate.