BUILDING HOPE, BUILDING HOMES
Morris Habitat and PARTNER Bring Affordable Housing in Perth Amboy

PERTH AMBOY, NJ (APRIL 27, 2023)- Morris Habitat and the Perth Amboy Redevelopment Team for Neighborhood Enterprise and Revitalization (PARTNER) are pleased to announce the groundbreaking of two new single-family homes in the City of Perth Amboy. The two homes will be built on vacant corner lots along Pine Street, one facing Inslee Street and one facing Garretson Avenue.
 The event was attended by Mayor Helmin J. Caba, NJ Senator Joseph Vitale, one of the founding members of the Board of Directors for Middlesex County Habitat for Humanity, Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, Deputy Speaker and Chair of the Assembly Housing Committee, donors, and the two families who have been selected to live in the new homes. At the event, Mayor Helmin J. Caba expressed his gratitude for the partnership between Morris Habitat and PARTNER, saying, "The partnership between Morris Habitat and PARTNER is an example of what can be accomplished when we work together to provide affordable housing for our residents. These new homes will not only provide much-needed housing but also help to revitalize the neighborhood, affectionately coined as PAAC”.  The Perth Amboy Alliance for Community is also a designee of New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit program.
“As someone who has dedicated her career to providing safe and affordable housing, each new build is incredibly meaningful, said Blair Schleicher Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of Morris Habitat. “These two new homes in Perth Amboy represent not just a roof over the heads of two families but a new beginning - a chance for stability, security, and a brighter future. It's an honor to be a part of that journey and see the positive impact Morris Habitat and our partners are making in the City of Perth Amboy and through New Jersey." 
“Today's groundbreaking marks an important milestone for our organization as we continue to work towards providing safe, affordable housing for families in need,” said Douglas G. Dzema, Executive Director of the Housing and PARTNER. "Our Family Self-Sufficiency program compliments the work of Morris Habitat. By helping families build the skills and confidence they need to succeed, we're not just building homes - we're building a foundation for a better future."
 
The city of Perth Amboy awarded Morris/PARTNER $334,166 through the city’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program. The project is also supported by donations from Citizen, PSEG, Santander, Provident Bank Foundation, Rotary Old Bridge and Sayreville Club, and TB Charitable Foundation.  Each home will have two stories, consisting of 3 bedrooms and two full bathrooms, and will be constructed on a slab with a grassed backyard and a patio. The homes will be handicap accessible and adaptable, with central air conditioning and serviced by natural gas, public water, and sewer. Off-street parking is provided with a 2-car driveway for each home. Both homes will be ENERGY STAR certified for energy efficiency, EPA WaterSense certified for water efficiency, and EPA Indoor airPLUS certified for health protection. These green building standards provide long-term energy cost savings to our homeowners. New home warranties will be provided.

The two families were selected from a random drawing on April 1st.  Each qualified as a low- or moderate-income homebuyer, and preferences were given to Perth Amboy Housing Authority residents and U.S. military veterans.  Each home will have an affordability deed restriction for a minimum of 30 years to ensure it remains affordable. Prospective homeowners will contribute a minimum of 300 hours of sweat equity.

Construction will start in the spring of 2023, and the project is planned to be completed by the end of 2024.

Please visit their websites for more information about Morris Habitat at www.morrishabitat.org/?viba_portfolio=inslee-street-Garretson-avenue and PARTNER at www.partnernj.org

Click here for the groundbreaking ceremony highlight reel.