HUD AWARDS OVER $2 MILLION TO CONVERT TRENT CENTER APARTMENTS IN TRENTON INTO ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY

NEW YORK - Elderly Americans in Trenton will soon find themselves living in upgraded apartments equipped to meet their physical needs thanks to a $2,043,608 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
HUD today announced the grant to help convert Trent Center Apartments from an existing multifamily project into
an assisted living facility for the elderly. The monies are part of $7.9 million awarded around the nation to help the elderly gain greater self-sufficiency.

"The Assisted Living Conversion Program will provide an affordable option to nursing home placement for elderly persons," said HUD Regional Director Sean M. Moss. "This grant will allow the elderly to age in place and not have
to move from their familiar surroundings as they become older and need supportive services."

Assisted living facilities are designed to accommodate low-income elderly and persons with disabilities who can live independently but need assistance with activities of daily living, such as assistance with eating, bathing, grooming, dressing and home management activities. These affordable facilities provide support services such as personal
care, transportation, meals, and housekeeping.

HUD's funding will be used to convert 17 elderly units to assisted living units for the frail elderly. The conversion activities consist of reconfiguration of the units, adding corridor railings, new flooring, enhanced lighting and
electrical switches, and new outlets in common area hallways. A full service commercial kitchen will be updated,
and the existing front entry door system will be replaced to meet accessibility requirements.

The Trent Center elderly frail residents will be provided support services through a multitude of community agencies and the State of New Jersey. The Assisted Living Conversion grant will allow Trent Center Apartments to achieve its mission to provide quality, affordable care to elders, maximizing their independence within a home-like environment, with the goal of avoiding premature and unnecessary institutionalization. The project currently has a Service Coordinator.

Since the funds awarded under the Assisted Living Conversion Program do not cover the costs of these services,
the project owners must provide the service funds either directly or through a third party. The projects receiving funding today will be providing services through a number of sources including their State Home Health Care
programs, State Assisted Living Services funds, Congregate Housing Services Program funds, Service Coordinator funds and private grants and donations.

The grants were awarded on a competitive basis. During the review process, items taken into consideration included: the extent to which the conversion is needed by the persons that the project is intended to serve; the quality and effectiveness of the proposal in addressing the proposed conversion including the meals and supportive services
which the project intends to provide; the ability of the project owner to secure other community resources which
can be combined with the grant to achieve the program's purposes; as well as the capacity of the project owner to carry out the conversion in a timely and effective manner.

The owners are responsible for ensuring that converted units meet all local standards, codes and regulations governing assisted living facilities. The projects must also be licensed and regulated by the appropriate governing body.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development, and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.

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