For Immediate Release: For Further Information:
September 29, 2008 (609) 292-6055
Press Office

DCA, HMFA Launch Next Phase of Camden Home Improvement Program

Home Improvement Funds To Be Available In Camden Neighborhoods

CAMDEN – Camden City Mayor Gwendolyn Faison, Camden Churches Organized for People (CCOP) Chairman Reverend Willie L. Anderson, Cooper’s Ferry Development Association Executive Director Tom Corcoran, and Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) Executive Director Marge Della Vecchia joined Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Joseph Doria today to launch Phase II of the Camden Home Improvement Program (CHIP).

“Governor Corzine’s continued efforts to support families and provide good housing are exemplified through this program,” said Commissioner Doria.  “Phase I of CHIP helped many hard working individuals make greatly needed home improvements and we look forward to the continued success of the program in Phase II.”

CHIP provides up to $20,000 in forgivable loans for eligible Camden homeowners to make life safety home improvements.  CHIP, which began in 2006 as a pilot program, was initiated by Camden community-based organizations, specifically Camden Churches Organized for People (CCOP), Concerned Black Clergy and the Camden Community Development Association (CCDA).  Cooper’s Ferry Development Association has been selected as the Phase II Program Administrator. 

“It is an excellent initiative in the City, and we hope that it would be of great benefit to the residents,” said Mayor Faison.

“This is a program that will help residents directly by making money available for ‘sticks and bricks, nuts and bolts’ improvements to their homes,” said Marge Della Vecchia.  “Thanks to the cooperation of the City, the State and the CCOP, residents will be able to put the money to good use.”

CHIP is funded with $5 million from the Economic Recovery Board for Camden, $2.5 million from the Department of Community Affairs, and additional funding from the City of Camden.  Phase II will reach approximately 75 homeowners.  Phase I was successfully managed by Coopers’ Ferry.  To date, work is complete on 66 homes, 18 homes are undergoing construction, and 43 homes are in the application review process, for a total investment of approximately $2 million.   Once all three phases are complete, CHIP will benefit between 250 and 300 homeowner throughout the City. 

“On behalf of the CCOP, we believe that this is the way, with the state, city and community working together in a concerted effort, that we will recover cities in distress, such as Camden,” said Reverend Anderson.

Cooper’s Ferry and CCOP have scheduled public information sessions for homeowners to provide information about the program and the application process for the Phase II neighborhoods: Bergen Square, Cooper Point, Pyne Point, Cramer Hill/Pavonia, Stockton and Marlton.  Information about these meetings is listed below.  All meetings will be held from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

CHIP Information Sessions:

Tuesday October 7th - Bergen Square:
St. Bartholomew’s Roman Catholic Church
751 Kaighn Avenue
Camden, NJ 08103

Wednesday October 8th - Cooper and Pyne Points:
Camden Bible Tabernacle
823-25 Elm Street
Camden, NJ 08102

Tuesday October 14th - Cramer Hill & Pavonia:
Christus Lutheran Church
909 N. 26th Street
Camden, NJ 08105

Wednesday October 15th - Marlton and Stockton:
St. Joseph's Pro-Cathedral
2907 Federal Street
Camden, NJ 08105

Applications are due Friday, October 24th and can be submitted at one of the four (4) public information sessions or directly to Cooper’s Ferry Development Association, CHIP Program Administrator, located at One Port Center, 2 Riverside Drive in Camden at either the security desk on the first floor or directly to Cooper’s Ferry, Suite 501, 5th floor.  For additional information, please log-on to www.CamdenCHIP.com or call 1-856-757-9422.