Nonprofit Profile: Edison Housing Authority helping low-income families in the township

By
ROI-NJ Staff
-

In brief

Location: 14 Rev. Samuel Carpenter Blvd., Edison

Properties: Julius Engel Gardens, 70 units for low-income families; Robert Holmes Gardens, 90 units for low-income families

Key members: Deborah M. Hurley, executive director; Carlos N. Sanchez, chairman of the board of commissioners; Barry Telesnick, Lou Mangione Jr., Toni Johnson, Dale Jones, Ray Koperwhats, Lennox Small, commissioners

Mission

Since the early 1950s, Edison Housing Authority has been providing safe, decent and affordable housing to low-income families while ensuring they receive qualities of life that help them to thrive. 

Achievements

  • Received the 2020 NAHRO Merit Award in recognition of our food pantry programs. 
  • Hosting free COVID-19 testing for the community at both properties, while providing personal protection equipment, masks and sanitizers to families. The Edison Housing Authority responded quickly to the pandemic by ensuring staff safety as well as that of its families. The EHA website also updates residents with COVID-19 specific information on how to stay safe and protect others.

Fundraising

Community grants; donations from local organizations and businesses; the Township of Edison; and the board of commissioners.

Programs

  • Monthly food pantry; 
  • Wellness programming and free health screenings; 
  • Resume workshops and job fairs;
  • Yearly homeownership workshops;
  • Financial education; 
  • Back-to-School Backpacks for Kids; 
  • STEM mentorship for kids; 
  • Holiday celebrations for Halloween (candy and activities), Thanksgiving (turkey and food drives) and Christmas (toys for kids, gift certificates for seniors, and food); 
  • Additional services include providing 320 Section 8 vouchers to families qualifying for rental assistance in Edison, and providing social services and educational programming to families living within the Edison Housing Authority community.

Conversation Starter

For more information, please contact Deborah Hurley, executive director, at: dhurley@edisonha.org; go to: edisonha.org; or call 908-561-2525.