Effective immediately, Morris Habitat for Humanity is now Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat for Humanity. The new name reflects the growth of the organization’s service area to include Middlesex County and the greater Plainfield area, and is effective immediately.
“We’re excited and energized by the launch of our new name,” Liz DeCoursey, CEO of Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat for Humanity, said. “We have a 40-year history working under the Morris Habitat name, and we are committed to continuing our work throughout Morris County. But our commitment to provide more affordable homeownership and home repair opportunities to those who need it most extends beyond the borders of Morris County, and our new name more accurately reflects the larger geographic area in which we are working.”
In 2020, Morris Habitat expanded into central New Jersey by acquiring the service area of the former Greater Plainfield & Middlesex County Habitat for Humanity affiliate. Both affiliates, each with long histories of helping families in their communities, consolidated to increase safe, decent and affordable housing at a time of great need.
“Our work was considered essential during the pandemic and our team recognized families needed our services more than ever, and we never stopped building and repairing homes,” DeCoursey said. “Working together during that time strengthened our determination and commitment to serve the Middlesex County and greater Plainfield area.”
At the time, the acquisition effectively doubled Morris Habitat’s service area to include 68 municipalities in four counties, spanning nearly 1,000 square miles, and tripling the population served to 1.5 million. Since the acquisition, the organization successfully leveraged donations, corporate support and volunteer engagement to create more opportunities for affordable homeownership through new home construction, home repairs and neighborhood revitalization.
As part of those initiatives, the expanded organization has already completed four homes in the Middlesex County area, with another four currently under construction and plans for 12 more homes over the next two years. More than 60 critical home repairs also have been completed, including repairs for low- and moderate-income seniors as part of its Aging-In-Place program. The organization is partnering with municipalities throughout its service area to offer solutions to meet the increasing demand for affordable homeownership and home repairs.
