RANDOLPH – Twelve families became homeowners Thursday as Morris Habitat for Humanity celebrated the completion of the largest affordable housing project in its 40-year history.
More than 30 volunteers, local officials and new residents attended the opening of the township’s twelve-condo complex known as The Crossings on Bennett Avenue.
The project, built on the former EA Porter industrial site, took 15 years to build, with Phase I ending in June 2023 with the completion of a further 25 apartments.
Morris Habitat transforms ‘derelict’ site into homes
Morris Habitat CEO Liz DeCoursey directed much of her praise Thursday to two people: her predecessor, Blair Schleicher Wilson, and former Randolph township manager John Lovell.
‘They had a vision to transform a dilapidated commercial-industrial building on an overgrown site [into] “A place where families and individuals can settle down and call Randolph home,” DeCoursey said.
The site’s transformation began when Randolph donated the land to Morris Habitat. The city also contributed more than $1.5 million to the project.
“This is a great example of affordable housing done right in this state,” said Deputy Mayor Joe Hathaway. To the new owners, he added: “Please immerse yourself in our community, dive right in.”
How new residents were chosen
Becoming homeowners wasn’t an easy process for the 12 families. Habitat’s program is “a handout, not a handout,” DeCoursey said. Each family had to meet eligibility requirements and complete 200 to 400 hours of “sweat equity,” helping volunteers build their own apartments.
“All of our families go through a rigorous process,” Loretta Rivers, the group’s director of family services, said during the ceremony. “We do it just like the bank: prequalification, education, credit evaluation, eight-hour counseling program, and they get an affordable mortgage.”
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Morris Habitat helps families with the down payment and ensures that each family’s mortgage remains under 30% of their income.
“I wanted to thank everyone on the site for their help,” said Leslie Mosquera, one of the new homeowners. “And also my lovely new neighbors who have been so welcoming to us.”
Funding for the project came from sponsors, donations and government grants. U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11) received a $3 million federal grant. Although Sherrill was unable to attend Thursday’s event, her assistant principal, Kellie Doucette, was in attendance.
26,000 hours of volunteer work
“All levels of government worked together here in over 26,000 hours of volunteer service,” Doucette said. “What was most important to the congresswoman was that we were meeting the needs of the community and maximizing the federal funding that we were bringing back to New Jersey through these projects.”
Habitat’s construction volunteers, called “the faithful,” worked with construction supervisor Jason DeVito for three years to bring their vision to life. The oldest volunteer was 93 years old.
“Do your best to thank donors and volunteers,” said Sen. Anthony M. Bucco, a Republican from Morris County. “This is a great example of how government at all levels can work together on a bipartisan basis to transform what was once an industrial polluted site into a beautiful community.”
The new residents will have access to a picnic area, playground and bike path to local businesses on South Salem Street. Habitat also built a community space for residents to use. Many of the selected families are from South and Central America, but were born and raised in the US. The new community includes twelve children, nine of whom attend Randolph public schools.
“Congratulations, you earned it today,” Hathaway told the families.
Email address: NFlanagan@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Morris Habitat for Humanity Helps Randolph NJ Families
