Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity (GCHFH) is breaking ground in Glassboro as part of its Affordable Homeownership Program. Construction for this new house is funded in part by the Gloucester County HOME Investment Partnerships Program. Once complete, the 1,252-square-foot home will be sold to a hardworking, income-qualified homebuyer in the GCHFH Affordable Homeownership Program.
The groundbreaking was Aug. 15 at 308 Cleveland Ave.
“This groundbreaking reaffirms the County’s mission to continue to work together with community organizations such as Habitat for Humanity to empower families. Gloucester County has proudly leveraged more than $2 million in federal HOME funds to support more than 40 local Habitat projects,” said Heather Simmons, Gloucester County commissioner deputy director.
Simmons, who is Liaison to the department of Housing and Community Development, added, “All of our Habitat families go through a rigorous financial education course and must invest hundreds of hours of sweat equity into the building of their home.”
As a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), GCHFH has a collaborative partnership with Gloucester County, which allows the affiliate to be a recipient of HOME funds that are specific to CHDOs, whose missions are to create affordable housing opportunities for low-moderate income persons.
“We are incredibly grateful for our long-standing partnership with the county, which allows us to continue providing safe and affordable homeownership opportunities for low-income residents in our communities, building a better, thriving Gloucester County, together,” said Ashley Griffiths, executive director, Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity.
Studies provided by Habitat for Humanity International, based on GCHFH’s data, show homeownership is fundamental to childhood development and growth. The Affordable Homeownership Program lifts Gloucester County families from unaffordable, overcrowded, dangerous, and otherwise unstable housing situations and encourages strength and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.