Community Corner
Morris Habitat Holds Double Groundbreaking
October 25, 2013, Morristown NJ: On a beautiful fall day, Morris Habitat hosted two ground breaking ceremonies in Morristown. At 29 Hazel Street, right next door to another Morris Habitat duplex, an existing home will be renovated to accommodate two families. One family, Akirah Farrell and her daughter, has already been selected. Akirah said that as a Morris Habitat homeowner she will be able to show her daughter that “hard works pays off.”
As with all Morris Habitat homes it takes many partnerships to successfully complete a project. The Hazel Street home is being sponsored by Weichert, Realtors and SHOP Program funding from HUD. James Weichert Jr., a vice president at Weichert, Realtors, said “As a company, Weichert believes in the dream of homeownership, and the financial and emotional support it provides to families. We’re likewise proud to make this dream a reality for Akirah and her family in their new home.” Weichert, Realtors has been a supporter of Morris Habitat for a number of years, but this is the first full-house sponsorship it has undertaken. In honor of Weichert’s commitment, this house will be painted yellow, the signature color of Weichert, Realtors.
The second ground breaking took place at 18 Willow Street. This brand new structure will be the home of two families, Wanda Carswell-Harrell and her two children and Jasmine Smith and her daughter. Wanda summed up the feeling of all the families that day. “We thank God, Morris Habitat, the sponsors, and volunteers for this enormous opportunity…a new home, a fresh start, and a new beginning!”
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The sponsors for this duplex are Wells Fargo, Joan Dalianis Foundation, HUD funds from HOME Investment Partnership & Community Development Block Grants and SHOP Programs, the William E. Simon Foundation, and Morris Habitat’s Youth United Program. Richard Berglund, VP and Northwest District Manager of Wells Fargo said that Wells Fargo is “honored to be sponsoring this duplex. Being involved with the community and helping others is what it is all about.” He added that he is looking forward to coming back and swinging a hammer once construction begins.
To help keep the cost of these homes affordable, Morris Habitat relies on the generosity of many professionals who donate their services. The architectural firm of Steele, Kellogg of Madison, NJ donated its services for the three Morris Habitat homes being built in Madison and is doing the same for both the Hazel and Willow Street homes. Stewart Surveying & Engineering, David Bossart, Real Estate Appraiser, James P. Mullen, ESQ, and Eikon Planning & Design LLC, Environmental Consultants also generously donated their expertise in getting these projects started.
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To learn more about volunteer opportunities for these projects and other ways you can help, visit www.MorrisHabitat.org or call 973-981-1934.
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About Morris Habitat for Humanity
Morris Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit housing agency dedicated to providing decent, affordable housing for low-income families in Morris County and the surrounding New Jersey area. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Morris Habitat builds and rehabilitates houses in partnership with families in need. Since 1985 Morris Habitat has served 267 households though home ownership opportunities, home preservation, and international home building programs. For more information about Morris Habitat call 973-891-1934 or visit www.MorrisHabitat.org
About Weichert, Realtors
Since 1969, Weichert, Realtors has grown from a single office into one of the nation’s leading providers of homeownership services by putting its customers first. A family of full-service real estate and financial services companies, Weichert helps customers buy and sell both residential and commercial real estate, and streamlines the delivery of mortgages and home and title insurance. Weichert leverages its customer website, www.weichert.com, one of the most visited real estate websites in the nation, to help families and individuals realize the dream of homeownership through quick and easy access to listing information and the services of its real estate professionals nationwide. For more information, Weichert's customer service center can be reached at 1-800-USA-SOLD. Weichert franchised offices are independently owned and operated.
About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.4 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, and the Internet (wellsfargo.com), and has offices in more than 35 countries to support the bank’s customers who conduct business in the global economy. With more than 270,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 25 on Fortune’s 2013 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy all our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially.
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