Proclaimed for the 15th consecutive year
The Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders will proclaim April as Housing Month for the 15th consecutive year at its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 3. April also will mark the 39th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which seeks to eliminate discrimination in housing opportunities and to affirmatively further fair housing choices.
The objective of Somerset County Housing Month is to increase awareness of affordable housing issues, highlight solutions for addressing unmet housing needs and profile successful housing programs and activities.
“Housing Month is intended to emphasize the need for affordable housing in Somerset County and to strengthen and revitalize neighborhoods. We also want to educate families about housing options and programs that are currently available to meet their needs,” said Freeholder Director Robert Zaborowski.
“We are extremely proud of the accomplishments of our municipalities, non-profit housing organizations and private sector participants in expanding affordable housing options throughout the county over the years. These entities have established strong partnerships, as attested to by SCCOAH’s diverse and successful Board, which is so very necessary to successfully accomplishing this goal,” Freeholder Director Zaborowski added.
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For more information about any of the following Housing Month programs and activities, call the Somerset County Community Development Office at (908) 541-5756 or the Somerset County Coalition on Affordable Housing (SCCOAH) at (908) 704-9649.
On Wednesday, April 11, Magyar Bank will host a “First Home Club” graduation ceremony at Pierres of South Brunswick, Monmouth Junction, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Participation is by invitation only. The grant-matching program assists individuals and families to successfully buy their first home with down-payment assistance.
A Senior Housing presentation, hosted by the Somerset County Coalition on Affordable Housing, will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday, April 11, at the Raritan Senior Center, located at 614 First Avenue in Raritan. The presentation will review housing options for seniors, including the State Rental Assistance Program, the federal Section 8 program and continuing care facilities.
The Somerset County Coalition on Affordable Housing will host “Step by Step,” a budget planning and educational program for families buying their first home, from 5:15 to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17. The event, which is sponsored by Somerset Savings Bank, will be held in a second-floor conference room at the Somerset County Department of Human Services, located at 92 East Main St. in Somerville. To register for the free program, contact SCCOAH at (908) 704-9649, voice mailbox #3, or sccoah@bellatlantic.net.
Also on Tuesday, April 17, the Somerset County Comprehensive Emergency Assistance Services Committee will host a presentation featuring representatives from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency and the Center for Great Expectations, a local affordable housing provider. The program will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in conference room #1, Somerset County Department of Human Services, located at 92 East Main St. in Somerville. For more information, call the Community Development Office at (908) 541-5756.
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity will hold a volunteer orientation at the United Reform Church, located at 100 West Main St. in Somerville, at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24. For more information, call (908) 704-0016.
The Somerset County Coalition on Affordable Housing will host the 15th annual Outstanding Achievement in Affordable Housing Awards Breakfast from 7:30 until 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 25, at the Somerville Elks, located at 375 Union Avenue in Bridgewater. Award honorees will include E. Joseph Kunzmann of the Board of Social Services, Legal Services of Northwest Jersey and Bank of America. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact SCCOAH at (908) 704-9649, voice mailbox #4.
On Wednesday, April 25, the Alternatives Permanent Housing Program will hold an open house from 3 to 5 p.m. for social service agencies, elected officials and the community at a new permanent housing facility, located at 429 West Maple Ave. in Bound Brook. The house was purchased in May 2006 and will provide services to four formerly homeless individuals who participate in Alternatives' Community Support Program.
On Thursday, April 26, HomeSharing will hold an informational session from 5 to 7 p.m. at the People Care Center, located at 120 Finderne Ave. in Bridgewater. Dinner will be offered. For more information or to register for the free program, call HomeSharing at (908) 526-4663.
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