Ground broken for Camp Salute — affordable veterans housing
The Clayton development includes 76 mixed-income apartments, with a veteran preference
People for People Foundation in partnership with Conifer Realty, joined by Sen. Stephen M. Sweeney, Mayor Tom Bianco and Gloucester County Freeholders Dep. Director Joe Chila and Heather Simmons, hosted a groundbreaking event for 76 mixed-income apartments, with a veteran preference, being constructed in Clayton, on Delsea Drive.
Camp Salute, an ENERGY STAR certified apartment community features 14 one-bedroom units; 40 two-bedroom units; and 22 three-bedroom units; all of which will be constructed using the best practices in energy saving technology.
Camp Salute represents a new approach to apartment living which will keep Clayton a vibrant region with a growing economy by providing sorely needed workforce, affordable rental opportunities for families and veterans. The development will consist of 14 one-bedroom apartments, 40 two-bedroom apartments and 22 three-bedroom apartments. Nineteen of the apartments will be fully accessible and will be set aside for disabled veterans. The remaining apartments will have a veteran preference.
People for People Foundation, also known as a “Veteran Support Organization”, will be providing on-site veteran and social services to Camp Salute’s residents with multiple U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Office of General Council, Accredited Claims Agents and their dedicated staff.
“This project, Camp Salute, is the first of its kind in the entire country. Nowhere else in the United States has an affordable housing development been intended for veterans and their families,” Sweeney said. “I am so proud to be a part of this project that will allow our veterans, those who were willing to stand up and defend our nation regardless of the risks, to have a place to call home. They say home is where the heart is, and Camp Salute embodies all of what a home and heart should be in our communities.”
“Veterans in Gloucester County know that they count and their service is appreciated. There are so many veterans who we work to help each and every day, and now this new Camp Salute will help our veterans find quality, affordable housing,” Gloucester County Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger said. “It is the right thing and the county is proud to have played a roll in getting this project across the starting line. When our veterans are able to move in here, it will be a new day for so many and I for one cannot wait to see that day.”
“We are honored to have the veterans and their families who served our county call the Borough of Clayton home. After many months of hard work by so many, we are excited get this project completed so that we can get our veterans moved in and moving on with their lives,” Bianco said. “This project has a special personal place in my heart. As the son of a father who spent 32 years in the United States Navy, I know the scarifies our service men and women make and they deserve no less than the utmost respect from their governments and their neighbors. I am certain that the new residents of Clayton will find that here.”
