Northern New Jersey is fortunate to host a number of vibrant Orthodox Jewish communities, including those in Teaneck/Bergenfield/New Milford, Englewood/Tenafly, Fair Lawn and Passaic/Clifton. Within these communities, there is a spirit of connectedness and communal responsibility –- our members are entrusted with caring for one another.

However, there is a burgeoning crisis with respect to adult (21 and over) members of these communities who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). As the parents of these individuals age or become infirm, and as their siblings move out of the community, what becomes of them? These individuals need a place to live – a home where they can live as independently as possible in an environment that is safe, secure, supportive and culturally meaningful and appropriate. Approximately 100+ families in our communities in Northern New Jersey will need housing for their adult children with IDD within the next decade.

The Bayit Association came about in early 2021, when a group of parents with adult children with IDD committed to tackling this housing crisis head-on. These parents resolved to create fully Shomer Shabbat and Shomer Kashrut homes for their children and others like them, located in or near their home communities, close to neighborhood shuls, stores and other Jewish infrastructure. To date, The Bayit has purchased two homes in Teaneck, with one already under construction. The Bayit currently anticipates opening its first home in Fall 2024.