Camden County through their Office of Homelessness & Community Development has started construction of a new 60-unit transitional Supportive Housing Center on County House Road in the Lakeland complex at Gloucester Township.
These new transitional apartment units not only provide housing for those most in need within the County, but also offer on-site staff and services.. effectively creating a central “hub” for the residents, guiding them to additional County services such as healthcare and assistance with employment.

The all-new construction residential apartment building will complement an existing 25-unit residential space which has already been operating successfully in another Lakeland building. (
The two facilities are not meant to be a long-term permanent address for residents… the goal is to utilize the full breadth of County services to address a resident’s needs, guiding them towards positive growth so they can eventually move on to a more traditional independent residence, freeing up their unit in the Supportive Housing Center for another person in need.

Providing emergent housing needs for the most vulnerable individuals in Camden County has been a priority for the board as we watched more and more residents suffer through financial hardships and lose their homes and apartments.
Whether it is working with national subject matter experts to find the right strategies or utilizing data driven solutions focused on people and their needs, the Division of Community Development has had a laser like focus on getting our county to functional zero when it comes to the unsheltered.
This new site plan and 60-unit complex will complement an existing 25 unit space for transitional housing that has operated for the last four years on the Lakeland complex through Volunteers of America that currently has a 70% positive placement rate. In short, we believe this building will be an asset to our community and the county at-large.”
Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr

Camden County Supportive Housing Center
This construction project did move through the Gloucester Township Planning Board last year but it seems many missed it (including myself)… and it wasn’t until this weekend when I received several messages from 42Freeway readers “hey what are the building over at…” that I stopped over and started researching!
The County House Road property is effectively located across the street from the Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center, within a large previously cleared area cut into the woods, which at one time supported an athletic/event space for the County.

As shown on Google Street Maps, previously the property contained a fenced in field area with a raised building overlooking the field, as well as overhead lighting.
Today those aspects are gone, as construction crews focused on site preparation very recently removed those elements… as well as groups of trees to fully clear the construction site.
My research this morning lead me to chatting with Rob Jakubowski, who is the Director of Camden County’s Homelessness and Community Development.

Well first, as stated by Camden County Commissioner Cappelli, the County Board has been focused for years on the housing needs for the county’s most vulnerable residents… and it is Mr Jakubowski’s department that is responsible for many of the core aspects needed to not only provide shelter, but also guide the residents towards County services.
It’s why they named the residential building “Supportive Housing”. As mentioned the goal is much more than housing.. it’s also supporting residents towards reaching a fully independent life, with their own permanent home that they can maintain.

For the residential facility itself, Rob explains that it will be 60 efficiency apartment units as well as shared spaces including a fitness/gym room, computer access, as well as offices and meeting spaces to support on-site staff and the additional provided services.
Residents can come from a variety of means… some utilizing the well thought out My Resource Pal website which helps connect South Jersey residents with the assistance they need. Rob spoke very highly of the easy-to-use website and encourages everyone in South Jersey to check-it-out.
Another scenario for new Supportive Housing residents could be from local Emergency Service personnel, including police officers who all too often cross paths with those in need of housing and other assistance… but then may not always know the clear actionable path they should take to provide assistance to the individual.

Honestly more than once in my coverage of completely unrelated stories such as “Roadway repaved”… I’ve seen comments from readers at the 42freeway Facebook page “does that guy still live in the woods over by that area”… and having a supported program like the Camden County Supportive Housing Center, will make it easy for anyone to find help for those in need, or for themselves.

Rob explained that new residents to the Supportive Housing Center will go through a triage phase where the very initial focus is getting them comfortable within their new apartment, but then they will be assessed in a variety of areas to determine a managed program to provide services and address needs… which will be managed with the resident.
In a few weeks Camden County will have their official ribbon cutting ceremony, and more details will emerge about the Camden County Supportive Housing Center. 42Freeway readers got ahead of things (as they always do)… and I was able to track down the details.
Links and Location
Camden County Supportive Housing
County Lakeland Complex
County House Road
Gloucester Township, NJ