Important Partnership Between Morris Habitat and Paterson Habit for Humanity Affiliates

There is a house at 27 Chatham Road in West Milford that was in need of major reconstruction work. Morris Habitat for Humanity reached out to partner with Paterson Habitat to get the work on this project done. This is the first collaboration between the two Habitat affiliates. Both hope it is the first of many. The project in West Milford Township is a single family home. The property was foreclosed on and is currently owned by Wells Fargo Bank which is generously donating the property to Morris Habitat for Humanity with an additional $10,000 award toward the costs of reconstruction. Morris Habitat now has a contract with West Milford Township to help them meet their affordable housing obligations. West Milford then offered Morris Habitat $50,000 toward the costs of a project that would help them meet this goal. Morris Habitat reached out and made arrangements to collaborate with Paterson Habitat for Humanity, which will provide volunteers to the project, since they have more experience working on urban projects. This is just another of many collaborative agreements Morris Habitat has made to most effectively work to provide much needed low income housing The Chatham Road property has been vacant for several years and is in poor condition overall. Evaluation showed that there were more problems with the home that were originally expected. But plans moved along to resolve the issues and move forward. The redevelopment of this site will not only eliminate an eyesore but will also revitalize an otherwise deteriorating property. Additionally, the completed project will generate property taxes for the municipality, and enhance the entire community surrounding the property. It will be Energy Star, EPA Water Sense and EPA Indoor Air Quality Certified for energy efficiency. Unfortunately it was found that the existing building was in such poor condition it would not be possible to rehabilitate the house, so a new one will be built on the site using the existing foundation - a single family 2-story, 3-bedroom house. It will be another stellar project in the many that Morris Habitat has undertaken. As Blair Bravo, Morris Habitat’s CEO stated, “Our projects changes lives by making homeownership affordable and the retention of homes possible for lower income families throughout Morris and neighboring counties. The partnership with Paterson Habitat will help transform the lives of their clients, volunteers, funders, and the neighbors and communities they work to enhance. We’re very pleased with the partnership”. Morris Habitat serves an average of 26 families annually who have reported great improvements in their lifestyle, family dynamics, and the health and school performance of their children. Studies support these findings. Hundreds of volunteers, who provide over 10,000 site visits and 69,000 hours of service a year in meaningful work, provide the skills and labor essential for building homes that are affordable. More than 20% of these volunteers have been committed to service for over 5 years. Additional volunteers are always welcome and volunteer orientations are run on a monthly basis. Work has already begun on the West Milford Township home and will continue into 2016. The homeowner selection process will begin in November of 2015. For more information about the selection process those interested can go directly to http://www.morrishabitat.org/homeownership/apply-for-home-ownership. To learn more about Morris Habitat and how you can help, please go to www.MorrisHabitat.org or call 973-891-1934. _____________________________________________________________________________ PHOTO CAPTION: Breaking ground for work at a house located at 27 Chatham Road in West Milford. Pictured R to L are Ken Sauter, Morris Habitat for Humanity (MHfH) Board of Directors; Bettina Bieri, Mayor of West Milford Township; Ani Sarajian, Office of Congressman Scott Garrett James Quinlan, Paterson Habitat for Humanity (PHfH) Board President; Blair Bravo, MHfH CEO; Barbara Dunn, PHfH Executive Director; Richard Solanka, member of the Living Word Church in West Milford; and Annemarie Uebbing, Director Community Planning and Development, Newark Field Office, HUD. __________________________________________________ About Morris Habitat for Humanity Morris Habitat for Humanity is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles by building homes, communities and hope. Morris Habitat is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; advocating for fair and just housing policies; and providing training and access to resources to help families improve their living conditions. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all. Morris Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and serves people in need of decent housing regardless of race or religion. Since 1985 Morris Habitat has served 305 families though home ownership opportunities, home preservation, and international home building programs. During the past year Morris Habitat has completing 5 units, with 15 under construction, and finished 10 home repair projects. Thirty eight projects are in the pipeline for 2015-2017. In addition, proceeds from the ReStore, opened May 2007, have built 14 homes and diverted 4,400 tons of useable material out of landfills. Located at 274 South Salem Street, Randolph. Store hours: Tues 12 - 8 p.m., Wed & Fri 10 - 6 p.m., Thur 10 - 8 p.m., Sat 10 - 5 p.m.