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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

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Home Care In Camden, NJ

Home Care Camden, NJ

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Camden, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Camden, NJ

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you for all you and your company has done for my family. Everyone that came here was amazing to my parents. Alexandra was priceless to us. Thank you.”

John Y.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you for all you and your company has done for my family. Everyone that came here was amazing to my parents. Alexandra was priceless to us. Thank you.”

Gary Z.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Great place to work for”

James B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“There's one thing I look for in an Agency and that's Communication, Communication covers a lot, how a Company interacts with its Clients and Their Employees if You have Happy Employees You Will have Happy Clients All the Agency wants is Happiness for All: I really Enjoy working for Always Best Care! The End????”

Roger H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I have known Kathy Godwin for over 30 years and she has been actively involved with my family for all of those years. She has always been a part of our family, and I would trust her with any situation that should arise. Kathy is and has been a loyal friend to both me and my father. She watched all my children grow up and has always been active in their lives. If there was ever a family emergency Kathy was always there to assist with any of our needs. We treasure her friendship and know that we can always count on her support in any situation. I can honestly and highly recommend Kathy Godwin's business as a care provider. I know that all clients she receives will get the best care and attention that they deserve. I would not hesitate to use her service for my personal family.”

Kasey H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Kathy and her caretakers made our difficult situation less difficult. They were warm , accommodating and willing to go the extra mile and that means the world to our family. We had a lot of questions and they had all the answers. I highly recommend this company to anybody who is going through the difficulties of hospice or just needs that extra helping hand with their loved ones. 6 stars!”

joel W.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Camden, NJ?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Camden, NJ

Types of Elderly Care in Camden, NJ

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Camden, NJ
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Camden, NJ
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Camden, NJ
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Camden, NJ

Benefits of Home Care in Camden, NJ

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Camden, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Camden, NJ

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your NJ's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Camden, NJ

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Camden, NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Camden, NJ

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Camden, NJ

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Home Care Camden, NJ

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Camden, NJ

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Camden, NJ 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Camden, NJ

Latest News in Camden, NJ

Phase 3 of $165M NJ Project Lands Financing

The Michaels Organization has closed on the financing for the third phase of William Stanley Ablett Village’s redevelopment, a $38 million affordable project comprising 78 units in Camden, N.J. This undertaking marks the developer’s largest single phase of affordable construction in the city.An in-house crew serves as the general contractor, while Urban Practice provided design services. Construction is already underway.This project is part of the larger five-phase Ablett Village redevelopment valued at $165 million...

The Michaels Organization has closed on the financing for the third phase of William Stanley Ablett Village’s redevelopment, a $38 million affordable project comprising 78 units in Camden, N.J. This undertaking marks the developer’s largest single phase of affordable construction in the city.

An in-house crew serves as the general contractor, while Urban Practice provided design services. Construction is already underway.

This project is part of the larger five-phase Ablett Village redevelopment valued at $165 million, which aims to replace an aging 1943-built public housing community comprising 306 units. The first two stages—a 55-unit mixed-income senior housing community dubbed The Harrison and the affordable 75-unit Cramer Hill Family—are already online. These two were built less than 1 mile away from Ablett Village.

READ ALSO: HUD Updates Open Doors for Developers

The Michaels Organization began on-site redevelopment, including the demolition of 10 existing buildings and relocating the displaced residents to Cramer Hill Family and The Harrison. As part of the third phase, 11 townhomes will rise to replace the demolished buildings. Subsequent stages will bring the on-site total unit count at the redeveloped Ablett Village to 297.

Located at 307 Ablett Village, the redevelopment site is roughly 4 miles from downtown Philadelphia. The Cramer Hill Waterfront Park, which overlooks Delaware River, can be found within walking distance.

Upon completion, Better Tomorrows will provide supportive services such as financial literacy, job readiness and stability, as well as academic and health-oriented assistance.

Funds included a construction loan from TD Bank, a permanent mortgage from Berkadia and equity from Berkadia’s acquisition of the 9 percent LIHTC issued by New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency. Additionally, HUD funded the project through its Choice Neighborhood Implementation Program.

Metro Philadelphia’s tempered affordable pipeline

Greater Philadelphia’s pipeline encompassed more than 17,100 units underway in March, according to Yardi Matrix data. Only 5.1 percent of the apartments under construction were within fully affordable projects. However, nearly 4,600 such units were in the planning and permitting stages, signaling the ongoing efforts to address the affordable housing challenges.

Last year, more than 800 units came online inside fully affordable communities—a staggering increase from 2023’s figure of roughly 200 apartments—the same source shows. For 2025, the data provider expects affordable debuts to be nearly cut in half.

Bishop Sullivan of Camden, N.J., retires, is succeeded by Coadjutor Bishop Williams

WASHINGTON (OSV News) — Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan of Camden, N.J., 80, and Coadjutor Bishop Joseph A. Williams immediately succeeds him as the ninth bishop of the diocese.The announcement was publicized March 17 in Washington by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.A native of Minnesota, Bishop Williams, 50, was named coadjutor for Camden by Pope Francis May 21. Before that he was an auxiliary for St. Paul and Minneapolis, appointed by the pope Dec....

WASHINGTON (OSV News) — Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan of Camden, N.J., 80, and Coadjutor Bishop Joseph A. Williams immediately succeeds him as the ninth bishop of the diocese.

The announcement was publicized March 17 in Washington by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

A native of Minnesota, Bishop Williams, 50, was named coadjutor for Camden by Pope Francis May 21. Before that he was an auxiliary for St. Paul and Minneapolis, appointed by the pope Dec. 10, 2021, and ordained a bishop Jan. 25, 2022.

Last September during a vespers service on the eve of his Mass of welcome, Bishop Williams smiled as he looked out at the pews full of people in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and said, “How blessed I am that the Holy Spirit brought me to South Jersey. How beautiful the people are, how beautiful the church is, how beautiful the tradition is in Camden. I feel like I’ve hit the jackpot.”

Bishop Williams took part in the Sept. 9 vespers service with Bishop Sullivan and diocesan clergy.

Hundreds from across South Jersey and beyond were in attendance, including Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States; Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis; Bishop Williams’ family, friends and former parishioners from Minnesota; and priests, deacons and religious from the Diocese of Camden, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and beyond.

The next day, during an afternoon Mass of welcome, the coadjutor stood before more than 1,000 faithful, clergy, religious and dignitaries from across New Jersey and beyond and echoed his remarks from the vespers service, expressing his confidence that the Diocese of Camden is where Jesus wants him to be.

He reminded all in attendance and watching via livestream that the call of discipleship is the call of the Church. The Mass of Welcome “isn’t about a single person — it’s about all of the baptized of the Diocese of Camden. What does Jesus want for you? Missionary discipleship. The consoling, comforting and delightful joy of evangelization has to be our primordial joy.”

“We don’t need another mission statement,” he continued. “Jesus already gave us that mission statement in Nazareth: Bring glad tidings to the poor … proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”

Bishop Sullivan, a native of the Bronx, New York, was installed as Camden’s eighth bishop Feb. 12, 2013. When he turned 75 March 17, 2020, he submitted his resignation to the pope as required by canon law.

In a Mass of Thanksgiving March 16, he said expressed gratitude for this “community of pilgrims whose witness to our faith shines the light of the Gospel through South Jersey … that makes the Kingdom come … that contributes to the transformation of the terrible darkness that can envelop our world.”

The Mass was celebrated at St. Agnes Church, Our Lady of Hope Parish in Blackwood, with Bishop Williams among the concelebrants. It came on the eve of Bishop Sullivan’s 80th birthday, 54 years after his ordination as a priest for the Archdiocese of New York; 21 years after he became a New York auxiliary bishop there; and 12 years after becoming bishop of Camden.

“My hope is that my ministry as the bishop of Camden for these past 12 years has drawn people to the love of God, and to Jesus Christ, whose love was displayed on the Cross and in the Resurrection,” Bishop Sullivan added.

The six-county Camden Diocese covers nearly 2,700 square miles in South Jersey. It has a Catholic population of about 305,000 out of a total population of over 1.4 million.

Contributing to this story was Peter G. Sánchez, a staff writer and social media coordinator at the Catholic Star Herald, newspaper of the Diocese of Camden.

This story was updated at 3:05 p.m.

Copyright © 2025 OSV News

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Camden to receive the most state aid for schools in governor’s budget proposal

From Camden and Cherry Hill to Trenton and the Jersey Shore, what about life in New Jersey do you want WHYY News to cover? Let us know.Gov. Phil Murphy’s budget proposes to send the most aid to the Camden City School District among all South Jersey schools.Under the current proposal, Camden would receive $369.7 million in state aid next year, $20.9 million more when compared to wh...

From Camden and Cherry Hill to Trenton and the Jersey Shore, what about life in New Jersey do you want WHYY News to cover? Let us know.

Gov. Phil Murphy’s budget proposes to send the most aid to the Camden City School District among all South Jersey schools.

Under the current proposal, Camden would receive $369.7 million in state aid next year, $20.9 million more when compared to what it received for the 2025 budget year. The district is not only the top recipient of state funds in all of South Jersey, but it is among the most-funded districts in the whole state, as it has been in years past.

In a distant second in South Jersey is Vineland Public Schools, with $159 million that includes a proposed $9 million in additional aid. The school districts in Pennsauken, Atlantic City and Pleasantville round out the top five proposed aid increases for the region.

A Flourish chart

On the other end, the Washington Township school district in Gloucester County received the biggest proposed cut in South Jersey. The district stands to lose about $1.3 million when compared to the current year.

Under Murphy’s proposal, the Cherry Hill school district will lose more than $884,000. According to district officials, it will lose $4 million in aid over the course of two years.

In a letter to residents, Cherry Hill Board of Education President Gina Waters and Superintendent Dr. Kwame R. Morton Sr. said the decrease in aid “poses undeniable challenges, and difficult decisions will need to be made.”

“We will be working with State and local leaders in the coming weeks to advocate for our district and plan the next steps, and will explore every available option to uphold our mission and advocate for equitable funding,” they said.

A Flourish chart

The final school funding numbers could change as the Legislature continues to examine Murphy’s spending plan, the last one of his administration. The Assembly Budget Committee is scheduled to hold hearings with the state Department of Education on Monday. The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee will hold a similar hearing May 13.

During his budget speech in February, Murphy said any aid increases would be limited to 6%, while aid cuts would be capped at 3% to reduce volatility in budget planning for the districts.

Michael Hayes, associate professor of public policy at Rutgers University–Camden, said Murphy made a smart political move by capping funding increases and decreases. This approach limits how much money growing districts can get, while softening the blow for the districts facing losses.

“You can sort of soften the damage by not giving such a big increase to people who, in theory, because the formula would suggest they should receive more, they’re not going to receive that,” he said.

But Hayes said the state’s school funding formula has not always been fully funded and cautions that schools are facing structural deficits. Some school districts will be raising their property tax levies beyond the 2% cap thanks to a recent law granting a one-time pass.

Plainfield’s board of education wants to raise local school property taxes by 36%, according to NJ.com. The Middletown school board recently approved raising its tax levy to 10.1%, according to Patch.

Hayes questioned the sustainability of the current formula.

“You’re kind of seeing more responsibility falling on local school districts to fund their budgets through their property tax primarily,” he said, noting that Garden State residents pay among the highest property taxes in the country. “I think for the next administration … this is going to be a major challenge for them.”

School districts in North Jersey bear the most proposed aid cuts

North Jersey bears the brunt of the proposed cuts in K-12 state aid. A WHYY News analysis of numbers provided by the New Jersey Department of Education shows 65 school districts in that region will see some form of a reduction in their aid compared to last year.

A Flourish table

Bergen County has the most number of districts in the state facing a cut. Camden and Middlesex counties each have 15 school districts facing aid reduction. Burlington and Morris counties round out the top five, with 10 and nine, respectively.

The district that stands to lose the most money is Jersey City. New Jersey’s second-largest city is facing a $4 million in aid reduction.

A Flourish chart

Districts in North and Central Jersey equally split the top 10 when it comes to receiving large dollar cuts. Districts in Hudson and Middlesex counties each have four districts at the top of the cut list.

School officials were notified ahead of the governor’s speech that the reduction would apply to the four primary aid categories — equalization (which ensures a district has the money needed to educate a student), special education, security and transportation aid.

Meanwhile, the state’s largest city — Newark — tops the list of highest proposed increases in aid, with a $75 million bump. Paterson is second on the list with $35 million, followed by Trenton, Camden and Elizabeth.

A Flourish chart

Some cuts in aid were expected in some districts

Despite Murphy’s insistence that cuts would not exceed 3%, four districts are seeing aid that will exceed that limit.

The Cape May City School District is facing a 27.29% reduction in state aid because of a roughly $448,000 reduction in military impact aid the district receives from students who live at the U.S. Coast Guard base.

“This particular calendar year, the number of students went down, and unfortunately, our aid went down,” said John Thomas, the district’s business administrator. “Next year, it might just bounce back. It might bounce back more.”

Thomas said the amount of money the school district is losing is “sizable,” but that it was “not unexpected.”

“We anticipate the possibility of that, so that we put money in reserve in case that happens, so that there’ll be no change to the school programs,” he said.

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The Colts Neck school district in Monmouth County also lost some military impact aid because of a decrease in the number of students connected to military families in the area.

In Hunterdon County, the Califon School District is losing 7.79% in funding because the district is no longer participating in the state’s school choice program.

“We will be graduating our last student who was grandfathered before we left the program,” said Dr. Michele Cone, Califon’s chief school administrator. “The aid loss is reflected in the loss of this student.”

The Laurel Springs school district in Camden County saw a reduction in the school choice and transportation categories.

Meanwhile, 65 school districts are receiving aid increases above the 6% limit Murphy announced.

In Ocean County, the Beach Haven School District would receive $67,192 in additional aid under the current proposal, which is 19% more than the previous year. The Central Regional School District would receive $1 million more, representing an 18% increase.

Other aid categories, such as school choice and military impact, are determined through factors such as annual participation or enrollment, according to Department of Education spokeswoman Laura Fredrick, which caused some districts to receive or lose aid beyond the limits established by the governor.

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10 most expensive homes sold in the Camden area, March 31 - April 6

A house in Camden that sold for $350,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Camden area in the past week.In total, 21 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $139,942. The average price per square foot was $92.The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of March 31 even if the property may have been sold earlier.10. $90K, single-family house at 1107 Kaighn Ave.A...

A house in Camden that sold for $350,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in Camden area in the past week.

In total, 21 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $139,942. The average price per square foot was $92.

The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of March 31 even if the property may have been sold earlier.

10. $90K, single-family house at 1107 Kaighn Ave.

A sale has been finalized for the single-family home at 1107 Kaighn Ave. in Camden. The price was $90,000 and the new owners took over the -unknown- in March. The -unknown- was building in 1920. The deal was finalized on March 14.

9. $100K, single-family home at 1260 Empire Ave.

The 1,443 square-foot single-family residence at 1260 Empire Ave., Camden, has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in March and the total purchase price was $100,000, $69 per square foot. The house was built in 1930. The deal was finalized on March 13.

8. $115K, single-family residence at 523 Mechanic Street

The sale of the single-family home at 523 Mechanic Street, Camden, has been finalized. The price was $115,000, and the house changed hands in March. The house was built in 1900 and has a living area of 780 square feet. The price per square foot was $147. The deal was finalized on March 13.

7. $120K, single-family home at 1057 S. Merrimac Road

A sale has been finalized for the detached house at 1057 S. Merrimac Road in Camden. The price was $120,000 and the new owners took over the house in March. The house was built in 1947 and the living area totals 1,024 square feet. The price per square foot ended up at $117. The deal was finalized on March 17.

6. $120K, single-family house at 2863 Cushing Road

The sale of the single family residence at 2863 Cushing Road in Camden has been finalized. The price was $120,000, and the new owners took over the house in March. The house was built in 1940 and has a living area of 1,152 square feet. The price per square foot was $104. The deal was finalized on March 17.

5. $180K, single-family residence at 609 N. Fifth Street

The 1,287 square-foot single-family home at 609 N. Fifth Street in Camden has been sold. The transfer of ownership was settled in March and the total purchase price was $179,777, $140 per square foot. The house was built in 1905. The deal was finalized on March 14.

4. $205K, single-family residence at 1034 Langham Ave.

The property at 1034 Langham Ave. in Camden has new owners. The price was $205,000. The house was built in 1920 and has a living area of 1,110 square feet. The price per square foot is $185. The deal was finalized on March 18.

3. $205K, single-family home at 1462 Princess Ave.

The property at 1462 Princess Ave. in Camden has new owners. The price was $205,000. The house was built in 1920 and has a living area of 1,792 square feet. The price per square foot is $114. The deal was finalized on March 14.

2. $217K, single-family house at 205 Second Street Walk

The sale of the single family residence at 205 Second Street Walk in Camden has been finalized. The price was $217,000, and the new owners took over the house in March. The house was built in 2000 and has a living area of 1,188 square feet. The price per square foot was $183. The deal was finalized on March 13.

1. $350K, single-family house at 330 N. Second Street

A sale has been finalized for the single-family home at 330 N. Second Street in Camden. The price was $350,000 and the new owners took over the house in March. The house was built in 1885 and the living area totals 2,900 square feet. The price per square foot ended up at $121. The deal was finalized on March 14.

Real Estate Newswire is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to generate analysis of data from Propmix, an aggregator of national real-estate data.

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