In 2004, University of Melbourne (Australia) professor Shelley Mallett asked the question: What do research studies tell us about the idea of home? She discovered the word home has many meanings for people around the world. Home is a place–an actual dwelling; or a location, like a country.. Home could be a feeling. Home could be a place where something was invented. Here in New Jersey, home is often an unattainable dream because of the cost of housing.
But thanks to a partnership forged between Bordentown Township and Habitat for Humanity of Burlington and Mercer Counties, 10 families will make their own discoveries about the meaning of home in 2022. That’s because the township and Habitat have inked a deal to provide five affordable housing duplexes on a 1.3-acre site on Thorntown and Crosswicks Rd.
This story takes its beginnings from the 1975 Mount Laurel decision on affordable housing, a decision which resulted in many lawsuits and complicated specifications. Suffice it to say that all townships in NJ are required to provide a certain number of affordable housing units based on a formula. And as part of that decision, developers who build non-residential units in a township must pay a fixed 2.5% of the cost of the project to a township. Those funds are then kept in what is called an Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Those monies can only be used for the construction of affordable housing.
Entering into this picture is Bordentown Township Administrator Michael Theokas. Each day, on his way to work, he would pass the properties on the corner of Thorntown and Crosswicks roads. “There were three multi-family homes there. Two were listed for sale, and they were not in great condition, said Theokas in an interview. “They were older homes beyond repair. They were an eyesore. I would see them all the time as I drove to work.” Two of the homes were listed for sale.
The township was in the middle of finalizing its compliance requirements for affordable housing, said Theokas, and that’s when he came to an aha moment.
Theokas came to his Bordentown job having been the City Administrator for Woodbury. During his tenure in Woodbury, he worked closely with Habitat for Humanity-Gloucester County.
“I made a cold call to Habitat for Humanity of Burlington and Mercer County and asked if the organization would be interested in doing a project in Bordentown,” Theokas said. Subsequently, the third house became available and the township bought all three properties using money from its Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
Annie Fox, Chief Development Officer with Habitat for Humanity of Burlington and Mercer Counties, said her organization jumped at the opportunity. “We have seen more and more townships reaching out to Habitat because of the affordable housing ruling,” Fox said in an interview.
Habitat for Humanity of Burlington and Mercer Counties has built 276 homes since its founding in 1987. Despite the pandemic, last year the organization built nine homes and helped to rehabilitate many more. But Fox says those projects, called one-offs, involve building one unit on one piece of land. The Bordentown project is different.
“This is our biggest development in one location,” said Fox. “Habitat is building ten units in five different buildings.”
The 3-bedroom, 1.5 bath duplexes will face Thorntown Road. Driveways for the units will hold two cars. The Bordentown Planning Board agreement notes: “each lot is large enough to allow each residential unit a ten foot by ten foot shed” for the storage of things like lawn mowers. Trash containers will be enclosed by a four foot fence at the side of the units.
Fox said, “when we are designing the homes, we look at the neighborhood and how our buildings will fit into the neighborhood. We want the homes to fit into the neighborhood.” To that end, Theokas said the township agreed to help landscape the project.
“The part fronting Crosswicks Rd. is going to be a landscaped public area,” noted Theokas.
“There will be a stormwater basin at the back. Each unit address will be Thorntown Rd.”
Theokas, Fox, and Lori Leonard, the CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Burlington and Mercer Counties, all agreed that this partnership was a win-win at all levels.
“Habitat brings such a strength in their reputation and a great track record with their projects,” said Theokas. “This is going to give ten families the opportunity to own a brand-new home for a reasonable number to raise a family in our township.”
Fox and Leonard spoke about the application process for families who might want to own one of the ten units.
“It’s almost the same as qualifying for a mortgage,” said Fox. “Families have to have to show a need. For example, are they living in subhousing situations? There can be no foreclosures in the last three years.”
Habitat works with potential homeowners on personal finances. Each family gets a mentor to help them learn about the responsibilities of home ownership. Families have to raise money for a down payment on the property. And, those lucky enough to secure a home must remain in the home for at least 30 years.
“We talk about budgeting with them,” said CEO Leonard. “We connect them with other agencies all in an effort to help them learn how to manage their money. There are also grant programs where people can apply for funding.” In the end, noted Leonard, “this is a scary and overwhelming step for some families. Habitat is not going to set people up for failure.”
The township committee voted unanimously on December 13th to deliver the property to Habitat. After ironing out a few more details, Habitat will bring in crews to build foundations. The homes are pre-fabricated and every home has to meet EnergyStar requirements.
“We are really lucky to have a partnership with Whirlpool,” said Leonard. “Every Habitat Home in the country gets a free stove and refrigerator. Other appliances are offered through Whirlpool at a discount”.
In fact, much of Habitat for Humanity’s success lies in the ability of the organization to leverage private, public and volunteer partnerships, in addition to cultivating relationships among businesses both local and nationwide.
Future Habitat homeowners don’t only invest dollars in their property. With the help of volunteer labor, future homeowners also put sweat equity into their properties. “Families are ideally selected before the building begins on the foundation,” said Fox. The homeowners “work alongside us, as do area volunteers.”
The application process for the Bordentown houses has opened. People begin the application process here: hfhbmc.org/services/available-homes.
Volunteers are also needed. Habitat welcomes individual and group volunteers. Volunteers must be 16 and older. More information can be found here: hfhbmc.org/volunteer.
Theokas says he expects the project to be completed by the first quarter of 2022.
And one fun side note to this story: Soon the workers at Rockefeller Center will be taking down the annual Christmas tree which looms over the skating rink. And since 2007, the Center’s Christmas tree has been milled into lumber and donated to Habitat for use in constructing affordable housing.
