Camden Breaks Ground on Phase One of Choice Neighborhoods Transformation

HUD Region II Regional Administrator Alicka Ampry-Samuel delivers remarks during the Cramer Hill Family groundbreaking ceremony

U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross; Camden County Commissioner Al Dyer; Housing Authority of the City of Camden Chairperson Deborah Polk; Ablett Village Residents Council President Tracey Powell; Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen; HUD Region II Regional Administrator Alicka Ampry-Samuel

HUD Region II Regional Administrator Alicka Ampry-Samuel speaks with Ablett Village Residents Council President Tracey Powell

HUD Region II Regional Administrator Alicka Ampry-Samuel delivered remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony for Cramer Hill Family, 75-unit new townhouse-style homes spread across three separate sites in East Camden, New Jersey. The ceremony comes just eight months after HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge announced a $35 million HUD Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant to the Cramer Hill neighborhood.

"I am thrilled to witness the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of Ablett Village residents who fought so hard to stay in Cramer Hill," said Alicka Ampry-Samuel, HUD Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey. "HUD has supported Camden residents every step of the way by providing two Choice Neighborhoods grants, Jobs Plus grants, and will continue to be there to ensure families have the financial stability they need to remain in their homes."

This initial construction phase begins to replace Ablett Village, a 306-unit public housing development that has largely fallen into disrepair since its construction in the 1950s. The following three stages of development will bring an additional 350 homes, for a total of 425 mixed-income, energy-efficient homes to replace the current 306. Amenities include an on-site health clinic, a community garden, offices and collaborative spaces for local community organizations, a community center, and playgrounds. Mass transit and pedestrian infrastructure improvements will better connect residents to schools, work, retail, parks, and green spaces and attract more businesses to the area.

State and local officials joining the celebration included: U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross; Camden County Commissioner Al Dyer; N.J. State Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez; Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen; Housing Authority of the City of Camden Chairperson Deborah Polk; Housing Authority of the City of Camden Chuck Valentine; The Michaels Organization CEO John O'Donnell; New Jersey Housing Mortgage Finance Agency Multifamily Programs Managing Director Tanya Hudson-Murray; Ablett Village Residents Council President Tracey Powell; and The Michaels Organization Vice President of Development, Nick Cangelosi. HUD New Jersey staff present included Field Office Director Justin Scheid, Senior Management Analyst Carleton Lewis, and Management Analyst Roberto Frugone.

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