Joseph V.

Moving into an Eva’s Village apartment felt like a homecoming to 75-year-old Joseph V. A team of Eva's staff and county social service providers also celebrated this happy ending to months of hard work to secure permanent, affordable housing for him.

A Paterson native, Joseph grew up on Slater Street and attended P.S. 3, just blocks away from his new home. He returned to Paterson 15 years ago after his landscaping business and two marriages fell apart. He held a series of odd jobs, but never earned enough to rent an apartment. At times he stayed with friends or in Eva's Shelter and for long periods he slept in his car or camped out in an RV in his  employer’s back yard.

Joseph got to know Eva's staff after he found his way to our Community Kitchen and Men's Shelter. Our staff worked with county agencies to assemble documentation qualifying him for subsidized housing, and helped him access benefits and social services.

Eva's Village partnered with The Alpert Group ten years ago to build 50 units of affordable and special-needs housing. A mix of grants and tax credits made the project possible. Grant funding also supports Eva's on-site case manager who coordinates supportive services for tenants living in the 26 special-needs units.

Case Manager Douglas connects the tenants to state and county services; conducts regular assessments and plans community activities. Tenants can access Eva's food programs, childcare, transportation, medical care, recovery treatment and support. "We have a strong community in the building, but what makes our community unique is its strong connection to the comprehensive care and support services available at Eva's Village," she explained.