Big Boost For Affordable Housing: $1.6M Grant Coming To Morris County (2025)

Community Corner

The funding will support the construction of seven single-family homes in the Budd Lake section of Mount Olive, officials said.

Posted Tue, Apr 15, 2025 at 10:32 am ET

Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat for Humanity (GMM Habitat) has been awarded $1,646,480 in state funding from the New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NJAHTF). The grant will support the construction of seven single-family homes in the Budd Lake section of Mount Olive, bringing much-needed affordable housing to low- and moderate-income families, officials said.

“We are so grateful to state leaders for this funding and their commitment to making housing affordable to its residents” said Liz DeCoursey, CEO of GMM Habitat. “The NJAHTF grant is crucial to each project, and without these state funds, our projects could be delayed years until enough funds are raised through other fundraising efforts.”

Since 2013, GMM Habitat has built four homes in Mount Olive. With this latest project, the organization continues its mission to expand affordable housing opportunities in the Morris County region.

This grant marks the fifth time GMM Habitat has been awarded funding by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA), bringing the organization’s total state funding to over $4.5 million. These funds have been instrumental in the construction of 26 new affordable homes to date, officials said.

"Having homes affordable for different socioeconomic households creates prosperous and economically healthier communities," DeCoursey added. "The NJAHTF is intended to assist smaller developments like ours. It is often the only source of funds providing the critical gap funding for 100% affordable projects to be financially feasible for low- and moderate-income families."

DeCoursey said she is joining housing advocates in expressing concern, noting that Governor Murphy’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget calls for redirecting all funds from the New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund (NJAHTF) to other programs.

DeCoursey said the trust fund was specifically established to support the development of new affordable housing, and advocates argue that draining it amid a statewide housing crisis is both short-sighted and counterproductive.

“With the start of Round Four of the Mount Laurel requirements, the timing couldn’t be worse to eliminate the NJAHTF for municipalities that rely on Habitat for Humanity affiliates and other non-profit developers to produce new affordable housing. Many of these projects are now in jeopardy without the NJAHTF,” DeCoursey added.

Over the years, GMM Habitat has built a strong track record of partnering with local municipalities, many of which contribute by donating land or allocating funds from their municipal housing trust funds. In return, the homes are deed-restricted to remain affordable for at least 30 years and contribute to the municipality’s state-mandated Fair Share Housing Plan.

A spokesperson for GMM Habitat stated that they are currently working on plans for an additional 150 homes, which are in various stages of planning and approval.

For nearly 40 years, Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat for Humanity has been a force in the community, having served nearly 1,100 families by building more than 200 homes locally, preserving 531 homes for low-income homeowners and seniors, and assisting 383 families with housing solutions worldwide.

Additionally, GMM Habitat operates a successful ReStore home improvement and furnishings outlet in Randolph, which has diverted 21,772 tons of reusable materials from landfills and funded 42 homes since 2007.

Those interested in purchasing one of the seven new homes can visit www.GMMHabitat.org and complete the Homeownership Interest Form found on the Homeownership page.