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PERTH AMBOY – Blair Schleicher, Executive Director of Morris Habitat for Humanity fielded questions from the Council at the 10/7/13 Caucus Meeting.

At a previous Caucus Meeting, another representative from Morris Habitat for Humanity said that applicants that were eligible for the house were from different towns and they couldn’t guarantee that a Perth Amboy resident would get the house. Three applicants were qualified.

At the 10/7/13 Caucus Meeting, it was stated that a Perth Amboy resident would be receiving the house at 440 Lawrie St.

Blair said, “The family that received the house had a Section 8 Voucher or resided in Subsidized Housing Unit.”

The groundbreaking for this house will be Friday, October 25, 2013.

The Executive Director said that they have upward mobility programs where the homeowner monies are put into escrow.

Middlesex partnered with us but could not help us because of administrative problems and Plainfield was overwhelmed.

“We help our homeowners put down roots. This home will be built with the family and community volunteers. The home will cost $340,000 to build; the mortgage for the home will be $130,000. We help subsidize the mortgage. We will get between $300 and $400 a month from the home- owner. We subsidize the value of the home.”

One of the Council Members asked if the Habitat Home being built would lower the value of the other homes in the neighborhood.

Blair assured the Council that there would be no deed restriction of other homes in the same neighborhood.

“Since the occupants of this house will help build the house along with local volunteers, the homeowner knows that they will have to maintain their property. If the property falls into disarray we will get calls from the neighbors. The Habitat House Homeowners know they have to comply with the upkeep of the exterior of their homes. If they have a any kind of difficulty maintaining their property they can call us and we can lend them a hand. Some of the funding received for these homes include CDBG Funds, Grants, Foundations, Banks and fund raising by local groups. 80% of those working on the house will be unskilled volunteers.”

The executive director said, “In nine and a half years, I have raised over $2 million in Federal Funding.”

Perth Amboy has self-sufficiency programs and residents participating in these programs were eligible to receive these homes.