MORRISTOWN, NJ - The Morris and Sussex branches of Habitat for Humanity recently collaborated on the construction of a condominium complex in Stanhope, where it plans to build a multifamily home next year. The project is the second between the two branches, the first was the rehabilitation of a single-family home last year in Hopatcong. Habitat officials viewed the partnership as a way to maximize its resources. "It's been an extremely positive collaboration," said Liz DeCoursey, director of property acquisition for the Morris branch. "Not only do we get to collaborate with their entities, we are serving the needs of the affordable housing in our area."
The collaboration utilizes the Morris branch's resources, including its paid staff and large donor base, with the larger amount of available land for development in Sussex County. The branches plan to break ground on the $450,000 project by the end of the year, and expect it to be completed in nine months.
The Morris and Sussex branches are currently accepting applications for the units located at Lloyd Avenue and Brooklyn Road. The complex consists of two one-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units. The one-bedroom units will cost between $58,000 and $62,000, and are intended for applicants with a maximum income of $18,497. The two-bedroom units will costs between $110,000 and 119,000, and are eligible for applicants with a maximum income of $38,536.
A maximum of two people may occupy the one-bedroom unit, and a maximum of four people may occupy the two-bedroom unit. Only same gender children may occupy a bedroom. The deadline to submit a complete application to the Morris Habitat Office is Nov. 14. Along with the application, attendance at an orientation sessions is mandatory.
Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to providing affordable housing for families who can, and will, work for them. Through the work of skilled and unskilled volunteers, donations and grants, the organization acquires land, builds homes and houses families.
Profit is not figured into the price of a Habitat House. Mortgage payments go into a revolving fund, to help pay for the purchase or construction of more houses. Applicants are selected based on their need for affordable housing, their ability to repay a Habitat mortgage and their willingness to partner with Habitat. That partnership includes hundreds of hours of "sweat equity," where chosen applicants participate in the construction of their house, and other houses.
Source: NJ.com