Partnership, a Little Creativity, and the American Dream

On June 15, 2006 Newark Office Director Diane Johnson spoke at a dedication ceremony in Lake Hopatcong, NJ that celebrated a major accomplishment of a local family. The Roman-Ortiz family can now say that they have achieved the American Dream of homeownership. The circumstances surrounding this accomplishment are ones that are marked by creative planning and the combined efforts of HUD in partnership with a number of local organizations. While such creativity and partnership is not unique to the Roman-Ortiz family, it is another good example of how local agencies and individuals can work together to do great things.

In this instance, the property in question began as a HUD-owned house that was purchased by the Morris County Housing Authority at a discounted rate using HUD HOME funds that were granted to Morris County. Morris Habitat for Humanity completed the rehabilitation of the house, and will hold a 0% mortgage for the new homeowners, who are participants in the Dover Housing Authority's Family Self-Sufficiency Program. This is the second house for which the Morris County Housing Authority and Habitat have collaborated - another house is to be completed shortly. Also present at the ceremony were the Director of Morris Habitat for Humanity, the Executive Director of the Morris County Housing Authority, and the County's Community Development Director.

Content Archived: March 07, 2011