Carteret, NJ – Mayor Daniel J. Reiman today announced that a small residential apartment building for Veterans and Seniors aged 55 and older will be constructed at the former location of the Catholic War Veterans (C.W.V.) building by Butter Construction.
“Unfortunately the financial burden for our Carteret CWV organization was too large to support keeping the building and property, so we determined the best use would be to redevelop the property for Veteran and Senior housing,” said Veteran and CWV President Vinnie Bellino. “All proceeds from the sale of the building were donated to local Veterans organizations and a portion will be utilized for a scholarship drive next year.”
The project was presented before the Carteret Zoning Board and approved at the January 21, 2020 meeting.
“Carteret values and cherishes our Veterans and Senior population,” said Mayor Reiman. “This new development will ensure that Carteret’s seniors and Veterans will have an affordable place to live and thrive in our community.”
The building, which will consist of 35 1-bedroom units, will replace an existing hall and single family home currently located on the property. Additional amenities for residents of the building will include a bocce ball court, fire pit, BBQ area, and gazebo.
“Our honorable Veterans have given so much for our country, and it seems appropriate, to say the least, that we give what we can in return,” said Zoning Board Chairman Frank James.
According to the National Housing Conference, nearly 2.5 million older veteran households—or 24 percent of all households headed by veterans age 55 or older—are housing cost burdened, meaning they spend 30 percent or more of their income on housing. Of all 50 U.S. states, New Jersey contains the highest share of cost burdened older veteran households at 35.2 percent.
“Many veterans live with lingering effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse which, combined with a lack of family and social support networks, is why you see so many homeless Vets,’’ said Veteran and former national VFW Commander George Lisicki. “I’m proud to see our Carteret community stepping up to offer this development for Veterans to call home.”
Construction of the building will begin this Fall.
“It has been a priority of this administration to ease some of the pressure experienced by residents vulnerable to the rising cost of living in urban New Jersey, and to ensure that our returning heroes, our veterans who may be making a transition from service, are not left without practical housing options,” said Mayor Reiman.
