Camden County Habitat for Humanity, Pennsauken, NJ, USA

Camden County Habitat for Humanity engages in construction projects to foster economic empowerment and sustainable community revitalization in Camden County, NJ. We undertake projects in collaboration with volunteers, municipal governments, organizations.

Camden County Habitat for Humanity engages in construction projects to foster economic empowerment and sustainable community revitalization in Camden County, NJ. We undertake projects in collaboration with volunteers, municipal governments, organizations and partner families to create home ownership opportunities for low to moderate income families. These projects address two significant issues inhibiting sustainable community revitalization- diminished economic empowerment and tax base erosion.

Our Partner Families
Every Habitat for Humanity build requires a partner family for success. These are low to moderate income families who find traditional interest bearing home loans out of reach. Through our interest free loans to families meeting our income, home ownership education and sweat equity requirements, partner families become homeowners. They pay full price for their house and demonstrate Habitat’s “Hand up, not a Handout” philosophy. These homeowners contribute to their community as both taxpayers and responsible citizens. This arrangement provides true ownership and economic empowerment through asset development, planting the seeds for a thriving community.

Our History
Since 1986 Camden County Habitat for Humanity has helped over 50 families. In 1994 our board initiated the 16 home Clinton Avenue project. This signified our migration from single home development in Camden City to tract development. To further support our community and affiliate, the ReStore was opened in 2008. This 18,000 square foot home improvement retail outlet offers deeply discounted new and used home improvement products, supplies, furniture and appliances to the general public.

Earlier in 2011 a restructuring occurred to position the Camden affiliate for the future. This resulted in a two year transitional business plan focused on service expansion and mission sustainability positioning the affiliate to pursue a tract housing development model in Camden City and a scatter project expansion into the entirety of Camden County. Currently we are partnered with the Cooper Foundation and the NRTC in building an additional 16 homes.

To date our projects empower more than 45 families, provide over 80,000 dollars annually to Camden’s tax base and have produced over 1 million dollars in new property tax revenue to the city.