RANDOLPH —Twelve families became homeowners Thursday as Morris Habitat for Humanity celebrated the completion of the largest affordable housing project in its four-decade history.
More than 30 volunteers, local authorities and new residents participated in the inauguration of the project of 12 condominiums in the municipality, known as The crossings on Bennett Avenue.
The project, built in the former EA Porter industrial unit, took 15 years to build. Phase I was completed in June 2023 with the completion of an additional 25 condominiums.
Morris Habitat transformed ‘dilapidated’ site into housing
Morris Habitat CEO Liz DeCoursey directed much of her praise Thursday toward two people: her predecessor, Blair Schleicher Wilson, and former Randolph City Manager John Lovell.
“They had a vision to transform what was a dilapidated commercial-industrial building into an overgrown site. [into] a place where families and individuals can put down roots and call Randolph home,” said DeCoursey.
The site’s transformation began when Randolph donated the property to Morris Habitat. The county also contributed more than $1.5 million to the project.
“This is a great example of affordable housing done right in this state,” said Vice Mayor Joe Hathaway. To the new owners, he added: “Please dive into our community, dive in.”
How new residents were chosen
It was not a simple process for the 12 families to become home owners. Habitat’s program involves “a handout, not a handout,” DeCoursey said. Each family had to meet the requirements to be eligible and complete 200 to 400 hours of “sweat equity” in which they helped volunteers build their own condominiums.
“All of our families go through a rigorous process,” said Loretta Rivers, the group’s director of family services, at the ceremony. “We do it just like the bank: pre-qualification, educational training, credit repair review, an eight-hour counseling program and they get you an affordable mortgage.”
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Morris Habitat helps families with down payment assistance, and each family’s mortgage is kept below 30% of their income.
“I just wanted to thank everyone at the site for helping us,” said Leslie Mosquera, one of the new owners. “And also to my lovely new neighbors, who have been so welcoming.”
Funding for the project came from sponsors, donations and government subsidies. U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11) secured a $3 million federal grant. Although Sherrill was unable to attend Thursday’s event, her vice principal, Kellie Doucette, attended.
26,000 hours of volunteer work
“All levels of government have worked together here on more than 26,000 volunteer hours,” Doucette said. “What was most important to the congresswoman was that we were meeting the needs of the community and maximizing the federal funding we brought to New Jersey through these projects.”
Habitat construction volunteers, called “the Faithful,” worked together with site supervisor Jason DeVito for three years to bring their vision to life. The oldest volunteer was 93 years old.
“Do your best to thank your donors and volunteers,” said State Sen. Anthony M. Bucco, a Morris County Republican. “This is a beautiful example of how government, at all levels, can work together on a bipartisan basis to transform what was once a contaminated industrial site into a beautiful community.”
The new residents have access to a picnic area, recreation area and bike path for local businesses on South Salem Street. Habitat also built a community room for residents to use at their disposal. Many of the selected families originate from South and Central America, but were born and raised in the USA. Among the new community are 12 children, nine of whom will attend Randolph Public Schools.
“Congratulations, you won today.” Hathaway told the families.
Email: NFlanagan@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Morris Habitat for Humanity Helps Randolph NJ Families
