Madison Site Recognized In Morris Habitat for Humanity Excellence
Award

The 31st Annual Metropolitan Builders & Contractors Association Awards Dinner was recently held at the Sheraton Hotel in Parsippany. The annual event, with almost 200 attendees,
recognizes professionals associated with building, design, remodeling, promotion, and
achievements in real estate.

Morris Habitat for Humanity was honored for a third time by the
Metropolitan Builders & Contractors. Under its Builder’s Category, Morris Habitat was
selected for the Best Affordable Mt. Laurel Home for the 13 Strickland Place Project in
Madison.

The development of the Strickland Place site in Madison was welcomed since it eliminated an
unsightly and deteriorating vacant lot, the former location of an asphalt paving business. The
lots, to build three homes, were acquired by the borough in 2004 in a foreclosure. The Madison
Housing Authority purchased the property from the municipality at a public land auction in
Nov. 2011. Then working with Morris Habitat for Humanity and their hundreds of
volunteer builders, the foundation work began in Nov. 2012 and the family then moved in
by Thanksgiving 2014.

One of three homes built on this property, 13 Strickland is a new three-bedroom, two bathroom
single-family home sold to the Artale family-Mike, Dina and their two children. Testing for
Energy Star certification revealed that this house will use 50 percent less energy than homes of
comparable size. Green or reusable building materials were used whenever feasible. The home
has a 30-year deed restriction that allows modest equity upon resale, but mandates that they be
sold at an affordable price to other income-eligible families.

Madison contributed funds from its Affordable Housing Trust Fund (provided by developers, not
taxpayers) for property acquisition and clean-up to partially satisfy their affordable housing
obligation mandated by COAH.

To learn more about Morris Habitat and how to help, go to www.MorrisHabitat.org
or call 973-891-1934.