AHA receives grant for O’port property

Originally published Aug. 18, 2011
 The Affordable Housing Alliance (AHA) has announced that has been awarded a $227,500 affordable housing grant to renovate and weatherize existing affordable homes in Monmouth County, including some in Oceanport. 
The Affordable Housing Alliance, based in Eatontown, is one of 115 NeighborWorks organizations nationally to receive $34.9 million in Capital Funding for the Rehabilitation of Affordable Housing (CFRAH) grants.
Donna Blaze, CEO of the Affordable Housing Alliance, said, “We are thrilled to receive this federal funding. Our agency was created in 1991, and these funds will be used to upgrade 33 of the oldest units in our portfolio, located in Highlands, Millstone and Oceanport. Our renovation plans will focus on improving energy efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and enhancing the comfort and safety of our residents’ living environment.
“These plans will include the acquisition of new Energy Star appliances, heating systems, new windows and doors, improved insulation and water conservation measures. These upgrades will reduce our future operating costs as well as reduce utility costs for our tenants. ”
Blaze added that this funding will help sustain and strengthen our local communities. “By renovating these properties, local residents will be able to remain in their homes and the funding will create jobs for local contractors and suppliers,” said Blaze.
CFRAH grants were made possible through bills signed into law on April 15 of this year.
Demand for these funds far exceeded the amount of funds available; eligible applicants requested over $53,000,000 in grant funds. A cap was placed on the amount of funds any one applicant could request; without this cap, the requested amount would have been much higher.
The mission of the Affordable Housing Alliance is to improve the quality of life for New Jersey residents by developing and preserving affordable housing, by providing services that sustain affordable housing, by providing housing education, and by helping communities meet their housing obligations.
For more information, please call 732-389-2958 or visit www.housingall.org.