August 20 - Mayor Booker Cuts Ribbon on Affordable Housing
MAYOR BOOKER OPENS EPISCOPAL CHURCH RENTAL PROJECT;PROVIDES EIGHT UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Development completes 21-unit Low Income Housing Tax credit project; Also includes 10 apartments for formerly homeless households
(More photos ECD facebook page)
Newark, NJ - August 20, 2009 - Mayor Cory A. Booker, Deputy Mayor of Housing and Economic Development Stefan Pryor, Director of Housing and Real Estate Mike Meyer, Episcopal Community Development Corporation Executive Director Gerard Haizel and representatives from the New Jersey Housing Mortgage Finance Agency joined with South Ward residents today to cut the ribbon to open a new eight-unit affordable housing rental development at 132-136 Hawthorne Avenue, this morning.
The new project includes two one-bedroom units, two two-bedroom units, and four three-bedroom units. The building is the final phase of a 21-unit Low Income Housing tax credit project sponsored by Episcopal Community Development, including 10 homes for formerly homeless households, sponsored by Apostle’s House, which opened in Fall 2008. The City provided $1.3 million in City HOME funds for all 21 units and a long-term property tax abatement to support the project.
“This is a tremendous day. Day by day, block by block, brick by brick, we are building a stronger, safer and prouder city. This project is especially important to me on a personal level because I live on this block and passed by the blight that existed here previously every day. Today we are seeing the power that can happen as a result of our commitment to make Newark a place for everyone and now each of these apartment units are homes to a family in need so they can fulfill their dreams,” said Mayor Booker.
“All units are unusually large and light, intended to offer residents an alternative to dark, small dwellings historically reserved for people of less means,” said Mr. Haizel. “This exceptionally well-crafted facility has also transformed what was a long blighted corner, which is a hallmark of ECD’s neighborhood stabilization strategy.”
The building is a brick structure that has transformed a formerly blighted corner. This strategy to transform neighborhoods with exceptionally well-crafted facilities is becoming ECD’s trademark.
“Growing up in the South Ward, I remember this building as always being a blight in our community. Today is a blessing for these residents who were in desperate need of affordable housing. It’s exciting to see an emphasis on development that has a positive impact on the lives of our South Ward residents,” said South Ward Council Member Oscar James II, in a statement.
Gail Eunice, a new resident, moved in with her 28-year-old daughter. “We need more developments like these. Unemployment is high and it’s a challenge to get affordable housing or anything in today’s economy. I’m so happy I filled out the application and they notified me that I qualified. I’m now home!” she said.
The Stratford, a nine-unit brick building completed in June 2008 as permanent housing for formerly homeless families on Avon Avenue at 20th Street, had a similar effect. ECD is building a 23-unit “kinship care” facility at the same Avon Avenue intersection for grandparents raising grandchildren, to be completed in 2010.
ECD was the recent recipient of $4.4 million in federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding to rehabilitate over 60 foreclosed properties for sale to low- and moderate-income families in Newark and Irvington.
“Many of these rental projects are supported by low income housing tax credits. This is a very important but complicated funding source and we are fortunate to have experienced partners like NJHMA and ECD to make these affordable housing developments a reality,” said Director Meyer.
“Today is a real testament to the city and the people who are working hard in Newark to create more affordable housing opportunities. I’m so happy for the new tenants who will be walking through these doors into their new beautiful homes,” said Trace Battis, Chief of Programs for the New Jersey Housing Mortgage Finance Agency.
The Booker administration has made the creation of affordable and low-income housing one of its highest priorities since taking office in July 2006. Through partnerships with such organizations as ECD and philanthropists like musician Jon Bon Jovi and NBA star and Newark native Shaquille O’Neal, the City of Newark has renovated or created hundreds of affordable and low-income housing developments throughout the City.
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