Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey Embarks on a Mission to Revitalize Camden
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Heather Kato
Annual Giving & Marketing Manager
(609) 699-4139
Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey (LSM/NJ) holds ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the beginning of an 18 to 24-month rehabilitation project to transform 89 North Camden home sites into an affordable housing community. Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey (LSM/NJ) holds ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the beginning of an 18 to 24-month rehabilitation project to transform 89 North Camden home sites into an affordable housing community.
BURLINGTON – Marked by a ceremonial ribbon cutting, a proclamation by the Mayor of the City of Camden and a commendation by Governor Jon Corzine, Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey (LSM/NJ) made an official announcement on Friday, June 27, that it will begin its 18 to 24-month revitalization project, which will transform 89 North Camden home sites currently in default, into an affordable housing community.
During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Governor Jon Corzine delivered praise in recognition of LSM/NJ and Mayor Gwendolyn Faison presented a formal proclamation to the social ministry organization that provides affordable and special needs housing to over 1,400 New Jersey residents. Both the Governor and Mayor of Camden acknowledged LSM/NJ for its work to transform an economically depressed area of North Camden, formerly know as the North Camden Land Trust.
Various officials, representing the many organizations and state agencies involved in this cooperative effort, were on hand to commend LSM/NJ for accepting the responsibility of managing and overseeing this incredible task. “Throughout this lengthy process, LSM/NJ has stayed the course and remained committed to serving the needs of Camden’s residents,” said Marge Della Vecchia, Executive Director of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency. “We are proud to be in partnership with them and Commissioner Doria and the HMFA will continue to assist in this project as we work together to rebuild and revitalize Camden.”
In September 2006, LSM/NJ was approached by the NJ State Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and NJ Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) to consider managing 122 home sites in default. With the support of the City of Camden, it immediately began conducting emergency repairs with Balanced Housing Funds provided by the DCA, and quickly began the application process to receive a 9 percent Low Income Housing Tax Credit.
LSM/NJ worked throughout 2007 with state and local government entities as well as homeowners and renters to re-shape the future of the home sites; and established a satellite location, Lutheran Social Ministries of Camden (LSM/C), to provide counseling and support services, such as; financial, mortgage and credit counseling to the many residents of the community. It also enlisted the help of congregations from across the state to spearhead neighborhood watch programs, block clean-ups, as well as deliver donated items including; backpacks, Easter baskets and holiday gifts for the children and families in the neighborhood.
Inspired by its mission to serve those who hurt, who are in need, or who have limited choices, LSM/NJ’s commitment is to provide stability to this community which has been plagued by gangs, drugs and community defragmentation.
For more information on this revitalization project or to learn ways you can help this area that is rich with history, contact Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey at (609) 699-4108 or visit www.www.lsmnj.org.
Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey (LSM/NJ) is a faith-based, statewide not-for-profit provider of compassionate, quality senior care services, as well as community programs such as adoption, immigration & refugee resettlement, community residences for developmentally disabled women & affordable housing for seniors and families. For more information, call (609) 699-4108 or visit www.www.lsmnj.org