Fostering Self-Sufficiency
Housing Alliance :: Press Releases
Mayors "Show Off" Successful Affordable Housing
May 23, 2006 – Morris County, NJ – Quality, creativity, high-tech energy efficiency. Enthusiasm.
 These words may not be frequently associated with affordable housing, but those who attended the Mayors Affordable Housing Showcase tour on May 19th saw high quality, good looking housing that fit with the surrounding neighborhoods. Importantly, each affordable housing project is meeting an enormous local need.
The tour was co-sponsored by the Housing Committee of the Human Relations Commission of Morris County and the Housing Alliance, an organization supported by United Way of Morris County, and it showcased existing affordable housing around the County, as well as sites for future projects. Over 35 elected officials, nonprofit agency representatives, and town council members visited a variety of projects that included senior housing, and rental and for sale units in Harding, Madison, Morristown, Randolph, Victory Gardens, and Denville.
 Mayors at each site explained the processes and experiences their towns went through in completing the projects.
Most of the projects resulted from partnerships between municipalities and nonprofit agencies, and several were supported by funding from United Way of Morris County.
Agencies whose projects were represented included Affordable Harding Corp., Homeless Solutions, Inc., Madison Affordable Housing, Corp., Morris County Affordable Housing, Corp., and Morris Habitat for Humanity, Inc.
"This tour shows what partnerships can accomplish. Towns are no longer on their own," said Morris Township Councilman Scott Rosenbush, speaking at the Jean Street apartments, a 15-unit development with support from United Way. The apartments were designed with energy efficiency in mind; solar panels reduce the costs of energy for the families living there.
 The need for affordable living is clearly great. At a newly built "farmhouse" complex on Kitchell Road, Harding Mayor John Murray said there were already 300 applications for the 24 new rental units. The complex's attractive architecture, which increased costs by just 5%, made it easy for neighbors and township residents to welcome the project. Applicants, most of whom earn between $40,000 and $70,000, will be chosen by lottery. The project ensures that Harding will meet its COAH requirements well into the future.
Denville worked with the Madison Affordable Housing Corp to develop Cooks Pond, a $1.8 million project with 70 units for seniors. Denville Mayor Gene Feyl said the tour was a challenge to those towns who leaders have not tried to develop affordable housing. He noted that the tour was an effective way to improve people's image of affordable homes, homes that are needed for everyone from seniors to college graduates just entering the workforce.
 United Way of Morris County efforts on behalf of affordable living continue to grow. United Way is the lead supporter of the Housing Alliance. In addition to providing funding for the Jean Street apartments, United Way supports Headquarters Development, the building division of Homeless Solutions, and is helping to fund the Abbett Avenue development in Morristown, which will be for 12 one, two, and three bedroom rental units for low and moderate income households.
United Way support helped Community Hope, Inc. complete their newest affordable home in Roxbury Township, and United Way support will be vital to the completion of Rose House's upcoming project in Hanover Township.
United Way of Morris County is also a leadership giver supporting NewBridge Services, Inc.'s latest affordable housing project; this key local private support is expected to attract over $1,400,000 in additional funding.
The sponsors would like to thank First Morris Bank & Trust for providing a delicious luncheon!
Click here to download the pdf report of the Freeholder Candidates Respond to this Issue.
Contact
Michelle Roers DiNapoli
Manager Community Impact
United Way of Morris County
973.993.1160, x126
Email
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