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Alliance to develop lower-income housing
19 Morris County groups come together to focus on community development

MORRIS COUNTY- Nineteen Morris County organizations have formed the Housing Alliance, which will act as a clearinghouse for information and use its members' abilities to develop housing for the county's low- and median-income population.

The alliance was fostered last year by the United Way of Morris County as part of its plan to focus on affordable housing and community development issues, said Dan McGuire of Homeless Solutions, the alliance's chairman.

New state affordable-housing requirements, economic changes in Morris County and the growing need for lower-cost housing calls for unified action by agencies, he said.

According to a United Way study, the county has a shortfall of 10,000 affordable-housing units, and a survey by the state Labor Department showed that more lower-income jobs are projected for Morris County through 2010 than higher-paying jobs.

"The lack of affordable housing combined with a limited transportation system separates job opportunities from the people who are willing to perform them. Consequences include overcrowded housing, congested roads and unfilled jobs, which results in an unstable tax base," McGuire said.

Alliance goals include: Disseminate the message that Morris County needs housing for all; showcase housing that is both attractive and affordable; increase public knowledge of the housing crisis; help facilitate policy change and work with elected officials to transform the current situation.

McGuire said that Morris County housing prices have risen more than 57 percent since 2000, reaching a median price of $490,228 earlier this year. A homebuyer would need to earn $127,240 annually to afford a house in this price range assuming a conventional loan and a 10 percent down payment, he said. The county's median income is $82,025.

Freeholder Director Jack Schrier said he welcomed the formation of the group. Agencies cooperating on the same issue can produce results, he said.

He said that the freeholders' role is to help municipalities meet state requirements. Schrier said the county is looking forward to working with the alliance on housing issues.

Housing alliance members include Affordable Harding Corp., Community Hope Inc., Homeless Solutions Inc., Housing Partnership for Morris County, Madison Affordable Housing Corp., Morris County Affordable Housing Corp., Morris Habitat for Humanity Inc., NewBridge Services, and the United Way of Morris County. Other organizations are associate members.