Media Coverage

Daily Record
Oct 15, 2008

Housing 'heroes' honored

Alfred Stewart of Stewart Surveying & Engineering LLC in Rockaway was one of 14 community members honored by the Housing Alliance of Morris County.

The alliance, a community collaboration program of United Way of Morris County, hosted a special affordable housing celebration at the Hanover Marriott in Whippany.

As part of Affordable Housing Month, the breakfast event highlighted the good work being done throughout Morris County to raise awareness of the need to create and advocate for affordable-housing solutions.

During the breakfast, the Housing Alliance honored 14 community members with the Heroes for Affordable Housing Award.

This annual award recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated a commitment to providing or advocating for the development of affordable housing in Morris County.

In addition to Stewart, the 2008 Heroes for Affordable Housing Award winners included:

• Bruce Katona, professional planner, Morristown
• Carmela Vitale, Madison Borough councilwoman, Madison
• F.J. "Jeff" Rawding, AIA, F J Rawding Architects Inc., Morristown
• Glenn Stubaus, AIA, Molinari Stubaus Architects, Fairlawn
• James Mullen, Esq., Pulte Homes, Basking Ridge
• John R. Murray, III, Harding Township committeeman, New Vernon
• John Nietzel, Investors Savings Bank, Cranford
• Mike Daigle, Daily Record, Parsippany
• The Rev. Robert Rogers, Church of God in Christ, Morristown
• Richard F. Smith, Richard Smith Surveyor, Morristown
• Ronald Francioli, Hanover Township mayor, Whippany
• The Reinvestment Fund, Philadelphia
• Tom Farley, Union Center National Bank, Westfield

"These heroes have been making substantial contributions to the development of affordable housing in Morris County," said Melody Federico, co-chairwoman of the Housing Alliance of Morris County and director of housing development at NewBridge Services. "The Housing Alliance commends these folks on the good work that they do for our community."

For years, housing costs in Morris County have risen more than household annual income. As a result, many are struggling financially, including upper middle-income households earning more than $83,000 annually. The creation of affordable housing supports these residents and employees of Morris County.

"These are challenging economic times for everyone, making affordable-housing options critical for many of our residents," said John Franklin, CEO at United Way of Morris County. "It takes everyone working together to create a brighter future. We are grateful to the men and women who advocate on behalf of affordable housing in our communities every day."

The Housing Alliance's affordable housing celebration was made possible by generous contributions from Housing Alliance members -- Capital One Bank and TD Bank.

For more information about the Housing Alliance of Morris County, contact Melissa Wankmuller, United Way of Morris County, at (973) 993-1160, ext. 122 or via e-mail at melissa.wankmuller@uwmorris.org.