In Camden: Virtua, Michaels start on $24M affordable housing medical campus

Health care providers have long recognized the role that access to decent, affordable housing plays in maintaining good health. And hospitals’ status as anchors in their communities put them in a special position to advance the merging of housing and health care.

Virtua Health, one of South Jersey’s biggest health care providers, is leading the way in partnership with The Michaels Organization to construct a 60,000-square-foot, multiuse building with 47 apartments as well as a medical practice in Camden.

The plans calls for modern apartments for the 55-plus set and their families. Residents with incomes under 60% of the area median will occupy the second and third floors of the building and five units will be reserved for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Ground was broken for the project on Nov. 1, 2023. When complete, Virtua will operate a 5,350-square-foot, ground-floor medical practice, serving resident and non-residents alike and putting such resources as social workers, behavioral health clinicians and other specialists literally on residents’ doorsteps.

According to the partners, the new housing complex known as Oliver Station will be ready to welcome tenants in late 2024.

“Good, stable housing and good health go hand-in-hand,” said Virtua Health President and CEO Dennis Pullin. “We’re honored to collaborate with The Michaels Organization to help people live better, healthier lives.”