Cooper University Hospital’s Board Chairman, George E. Norcross, III, is calling upon organizations involved in the revitalization of Camden to discuss a resolution to keep some Camden families in their homes as negotiated in 1992 by developer Israel Roizman.
According to news reports, the contract on these properties, developed in 1992 and signed by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, stated that 91 homes would be turned over by the developer after a period of 15 years and sold to the low-income tenants for $1.
It is also reported that in 2008, Roizman promised to turn the homes over the following year, but has been unable to find a nonprofit or government agency willing to create a homeowners association to handle property-transfer issues.
The properties are located throughout the Bergen Square and Lanning Square neighborhoods adjacent to the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University which is currently under construction. Cooper University Hospital has been a proponent of increased housing and retail development opportunities in order to spur economic revitalization in the neighborhoods surrounding the hospital. Cooper, founded in 1887, has consistently affirmed its commitment to neighborhood revitalization.
“This is not about the hospital or the medical school, it’s about building a sustainable community with the people who live, work, and raise their families here,” said Mr. Norcross. “Their well-being is extremely important to us.”
Cooper is inviting Mayor Dana Redd, 5th District Legislators and representatives from the following organizations to the meeting: New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Camden Redevelopment Agency, Israel Roizman, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Rowan University, Center for Family Services, Greater Camden Partnership, Lanning Square West Citizens in Action, Bergen Square Civic Alliance, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, Camden County Freeholders, and the Camden County Improvement Authority.
“Each of these community partners plays an important role in the success of the City of Camden,” said Mr. Norcross. “Working together, the goal is to provide home ownership opportunities for those families affected.”
The meeting is proposed to convene in the next two weeks.