Camden Habitat for Humanity, Metropolitan

Results: MCHH has built 50 homes and sold them to families in need on affordable terms. Currently we are building in the Cooper Plaza neighborhood of Camden. The 9 new units of the Cooper Plaza Project fill the entire block of S. 6th St. from Royden St. to Line St. These new units are intended to create a gateway to the Cooper Plaza neighborhood for traffic approaching north on Sixth Street. The project is located just 1 block south of our 7-unit new construction Sixth Street Project and is a natural extension of MCHH’s prior work in the community. We recently acquired 3 vacant houses in close proximity to the new construction project site. The new units have a 2-story town home design to blend with the existing masonry row home architecture as well as the new 3-story market-rate infill units that M&M Development intends to build 3 blocks further north on 6th St. The floor plan for the seven 3-BR units is 1,225 sq. ft., while that for the two 4-BR units is 1,400 sq. ft. All the units will have 6 foot deep crawlspaces to hold the mechanical equipment and to provide storage. Unlike traditional row houses, which are 3 steps up to the front door, and consequently unsuitable for a handicapped occupant, our town home design has only an 8” rise from the sidewalk to the front door. Each unit has its own ramp tucked up against the front wall inside the railing, so that the units qualify as visitable. A visitor in a wheelchair or a visitor pushing a baby carriage can easily enter the home. With minor modification, the 4-BR units can be converted into handicapped-accessible units. Like all our homes, the 9 units of the Cooper Plaza Project Phase I will be single-family, owner-occupied, and targeted to be affordable to households with incomes of 25-50% of median. The 3-BR units will be priced at $96,000, while the 4-BR units will be priced at $102,000. With a 30 year, interest-free mortgage from MCHH, monthly principal payments will be $264 for the 3-BR units. Taxes and insurance bring the monthly house payment to $532. Principal payments for the 4-BR units will be $281 and $562 with taxes and insurance. The 3 row houses being rehabbed will sell for $90,000, with monthly payments of $452. All 12 units will meet Energy Star standards for energy efficiency. The Cooper Plaza Project is projected to cost $1.9 million. Funding for the project comes from the Danellie Foundation, HOME (HUD) through the City of Camden, the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, PSE&G, Lowe’s, Fannie Mae and other private funding sources including the Camden Police & Fire Departments, local corporations, foundations, houses of worship and individuals. We expect to complete all 12 units by June 2012.

Target demographics: MCHH targets families that do not have the income, downpayment or credit history to qualify for a conventional mortgage. These are low-income families with household incomes between 25 and 50% of median income. Often they are single head of households and usually have young children.

Direct beneficiaries per year: Six families--approximately 24 people become homeowners each year..

Programs: Nine New Homes to be built on 13 vacant lots on South Sixth Street, Camden NJ beginning June 2010.