Editor’s note: Affordable housing is a hot issue in Morristown. The town is poised to reduce the percentage of affordable units required in phase one of the Speedwell Avenue redevelopment from 20 percent to five percent, citing economic factors. At the same time, another developer has proposed a 73-unit affordable complex at Coal and Center streets.
Both of those projects could take a long time to complete. The Morristown Area Clergy Council is urging town officials (see letter below) to support a six-unit affordable project that Homeless Solutions Inc. is ready to build at 81 Martin Luther King Ave.
On April 21, Homeless Solutions delivered a request to the town for $256,345 from the town’s affordable housing trust fund for the project.
So far, Mayor Tim Dougherty’s administration has not responded, said Dan McGuire of Homeless Solutions.
“We’re eager to get on (the council’s) agenda to have this voted on, and get housing built,” said Dan. “We got our bids last week from general contractors. We could get started by late August or early September, and have people move in by this time next year.”
Plans call for six one-bedroom apartments in an environmentally friendly house with solar panels, bamboo floors and other sustainable features. As mandated by the state Special Needs Housing Trust Fund, the housing would be available to people earning up to 50 percent of the area median income, Dan said. All tenants would be required to pay rent. Homeless veterans, domestic abuse victims and the working poor are likely candidates. Planning approvals for the MLK project were received from the town last fall.
We’ve asked the Mayor’s office for a comment and will include it when we hear back.
Here is the letter from the Clergy Council:
May 28th, 2011
Mayor Timothy Dougherty
Town of Morristown
200 South Street, PO Box 914
Morristown, NJ 07963-0914
Dear Mayor Dougherty:
On behalf of the Morristown Area Clergy Council, I am writing to support Homeless Solutions, Inc.’s proposed project at 81 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, and their application for funding from the town’s affordable housing trust fund. There is such a great need in the community for this type of housing that can provide for veterans and those with special needs.
In your prior visits to the Clergy Council, you spoke of partnerships with nonprofit organizations such as Homeless Solutions Inc. (HSI) as the way to create much needed affordable housing opportunities in Morristown. This is the perfect opportunity to make those words a reality. Our understanding is that HSI has lined up all the other necessary funding for this project, and thus the Morristown funds will be leveraged tremendously and will enable the project to move forward promptly.
The 81 MLK project will provide six units of green affordable housing in a vacant, infill lot that will enhance that neighborhood. Programatically, it is nearly identical to the HSI property on Harrison street that you have highlighted in previous talks. Those four units have provided a tremendous opportunity for four households from Morristown – three working households and one disabled retiree who had worked for more than twenty years in Morristown.
We understand that HSI’s proposal for funding has yet to be put on the township committee agenda after being submitted a month ago. We respectfully urge you to do all you are able to get this important item on the agenda for the next meeting so this project can move to construction as quickly as possible.
Sincerely,
Reverend Cynthia Alloway, President
Morristown Area Interfaith Clergy Council
