Summit To Get 12 Habitat For Humanity Homes For The Needy

SUMMIT, NJ — Morris Habitat for Humanity, which won a Martin Luther King Day award last month, is collaborating with Summit city officials to bring 12 units of affordable housing to 146 Morris Ave., the site of the Summit Italian-American Club.

The project was approved by the Summit Common Council in 2017.

Habitat for Humanity homes are built by volunteers and often also involve "sweat equity" from future residents.

The project will feature two, two-story six-plexes. Morris Habitat for Humanity previously worked in partnership with the city in 2012 to build a six-unit project at 39 Morris Ave.

Last month, the Randolph-based group was honored by Shaping Summit Together, which bestowed a “Keeper of the Dream Award” on them at its annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration of Justice, Equality and Service to Others on Jan. 20.

Morris Habitat was recognized for its ongoing commitment to bringing affordable housing solutions to the city of Summit.

“We’re honored to be recognized for bridging divided communities, continuing to live out Dr. King’s vision of putting faith into action as we work to bring more affordable housing to Summit,” said Blair Schleicher Bravo, CEO of Morris Habitat for Humanity. “Approximately 34 percent and 42 percent of homeowners and renters, respectively, have housing costs greater than 30 percent of their incomes. There is clearly a need for more affordable housing in Summit.”

Shaping Summit Together is a 501c(3) organization whose mission is to ensure that Summit reaches its full potential as a mature, diverse, suburban community and to facilitate efforts so that Summit continues to be a community that works together to shape its future. They operate as an “alliance” with community stakeholders and collaborate to organize community-wide programs pertaining to character, values and service and prevention of substance abuse. Visit http://www.mondosummit.com/shaping-summit-together for more information.

Morris Habitat for Humanity is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization committed to building homes, communities and hope. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Morris Habitat builds new homes and provides home repair services to income eligible families. Since 1985, Morris Habitat has served over 550 households through home ownership opportunities, home preservation, and international home building programs.

Proceeds from the ReStore, opened in 2007, have helped to fund construction while diverting over 9,300 tons of useable material from local landfills. The ReStore store is located at 274 South Salem Street, Randolph. For more information, visit www.morrishabitat.org or call 973-891-1934.