DCA & HMFA Welcome the City of Bridgeton to

'Live Where You Work' Homebuyer Program

The City of Bridgeton Is 36th Municipality to Partner with Agencies on Program


 

BRIDGETON, N.J. – Representatives of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) today joined Mayor Albert B. Kelly and Bridgeton Committee Members Darlene E. Carter-Bunting, Carola Hartley, and Kevin Rabago at Bridgeton’s Office of Planning & Development (Tourist Center Building) to announce that the City is the newest member of the Live Where You Work program. Bridgeton is the 36th municipality to partner with the HMFA on this workforce housing initiative.

"Live Where You Work assists hard working families in purchasing their first home, saving money and reducing their commute to work. It also has the larger goal of revitalizing neighborhoods and developing a committed workforce and economic vibrancy," said Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Lori Grifa, who is Chair of the HMFA Board. "I applaud Bridgeton officials for their dedication to improving the city's quality of life and I encourage more municipalities to join the program." 

The Live Where You Work program provides low-interest, fixed rate mortgage loans to first-time homebuyers purchasing homes in towns where they are employed. Homes must be located in a municipality that has become a Live Where You Work partner with the HMFA, which is an affiliated agency of the DCA. Additional program benefits include down payment and closing cost assistance for the purchase of a home within Smart Growth areas and flexible underwriting criteria for the loan qualification process.

"We are delighted to include the City of Bridgeton as one of our Live Where You Work communities," said HMFA Executive Director Anthony L. Marchetta. "With its historic neighborhoods and cultural diversity, Bridgeton is providing a great opportunity for local residents to become homeowners at a time when we want to support homeownership."

The other 35 municipalities participating in the Live Where You Work program include: Trenton, Jersey City, Woodbridge, Elizabeth, Atlantic City, Rahway, Morristown, Evesham, Neptune Township, Bayonne, Carteret, New Brunswick, Paterson, Glassboro, Orange, Keyport, Newark, Washington Township (Gloucester County), Edgewater Park, Cherry Hill, Plainfield, Old Bridge, Passaic, Belmar, Asbury Park, Pemberton, Gloucester City, Voorhees, Manchester, Lakewood, Freehold Borough, East Orange, Red Bank, Collingswood and Middletown.

"A solid foundation paves the way when you're building for the future," said Bridgeton Mayor Albert B. Kelly. "Our community has set in place a number of growth and development tools to make Bridgeton unique in the Mid-Atlantic region. With this solid foundation, a strong plan of action, effective programs and a dedicated team, we're building on our strengths, creating new possibilities to live, work and play in our city."

Mayor Kelly further added: "Our main focus is to champion our community, assisting those who have chosen to build their future in Bridgeton achieve their dream. That is what's behind our commitment to growing our city through the Live Where You Work Program." 

Live Where You Work received the 2009 President's Award for Innovation from the Council of State Community Development Agencies, a national association that supports state efforts in community development, affordable housing, local economic development and state-local relations. The award recognizes innovative activities, policies or programs that have been implemented at the state level and have demonstrated success in solving community needs.

To learn about how to get a Live Where You Work mortgage, please call 1-800-NJHOUSE. For more information about how municipalities can join Live Where You Work, please call 609-278-7478. Or you can visit the Live Where You Work website at www.livewhereyouwork.nj.gov.  

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