MORRIS COUNTY — The Wells Fargo Foundation has awarded a $30,000 grant to Morris Habitat for Humanity (Morris Habitat) to help build homes in Randolph. Morris Habitat is one of more than 230 Habitat for Humanity affiliates awarded grant funding through the 2023 Wells Fargo Builds program to help make homes more affordable and accessible for everyone nationwide.
“We are grateful for our long-standing partnership with Wells Fargo,” said Liz DeCoursey, Morris Habitat for Humanity interim CEO. “Their philanthropic interests in our mission to build homes, and communities and hope to make change happen and improve lives for everyone. We also look forward to future projects and making an impact on families whenever we can work together.”
The grant announcement was made at the site of Morris Habitat’s largest project to date, where, at the end of construction, 25 low- to moderate-income families will move into their new homes. About 75% of the families are led by single mothers. Randolph Township Mayor Lou Nisivoccia also spoke at the brief press event about the need of affordable housing options for local residents.
“As the Bank of Doing, we’re committed to opening pathways to affordable homeownership for more individuals so they can pass that legacy on and grow generational wealth – especially here in the Garden State,” said Tomas Porturas, Vice President of Community Impact, Wells Fargo. “We’re proud to join Morris Habitat for Humanity once again to create more affordable homes in Northern New Jersey and help welcome home-deserving families.”
Today nearly 17 million U.S. households pay half or more of their income on a place to live. At least one in six New Jersey households spend over half of their income on housing and the number of Northern New Jersey families who are struggling to afford rent is on the rise.
The funding announcement to Habitat Morris coincided with a volunteer day as part of Wells Fargo’s “Welcome Home” initiative. Thousands of Wells Fargo employees across the country are working with local charities to make an impact in the company foundation’s funding priority, housing affordability. Throughout the month of September, Wells Fargo employees will participate in volunteer events like this one in Upper Ringwood.
This grant is part of a $7.5 million donation to Habitat for Humanity International through the Wells Fargo Builds program to build and repair more than 360 homes nationwide. For three decades, Habitat for Humanity and Wells Fargo have worked together to increase access to affordable homes and homeownership.
Morris Habitat for Humanity is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization committed to building homes, communities, and hope. The organization serves Morris, Middlesex, and portions of Somerset and Union counties. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Morris Habitat builds affordable new homes and provides home repair services to income-eligible families. Since 1985, Morris Habitat has served nearly 1,000 families by building 188 local homes, preserving 431 homes for low-income and senior residents, and helping 373 families with housing solutions worldwide. The organization has engaged more than 150,000 volunteers for various programs. Morris Habitat also operates a successful ReStore home improvement outlet which has kept 17,588 tons of reusable materials out of landfills and funded 36 homes. For more information, visit MorrisHabitat.org or call 973-891-1934.
