New Jersey Natural Gas
ASBURY PARK FAMILIES BECOME FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNERS AS PART OF WEST SIDE REVITALIZATION
08/14/2008 - For Immediate Release“Today is the culmination of the hopes and dreams of two very deserving families and the hard work of a dedicated group of people who have made their dreams of home ownership a reality,” said Laurence M. Downes, chairman and CEO of NJNG. “Together, we are not only helping two families achieve the American dream, we are building a safer, more vibrant neighborhood for our children.”
Sergo and Gislene Raoul, along with their four children, will leave their crowded apartment in a public housing development for their new home with four bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. Sergo, a driver for Surf Taxi in Asbury Park, is currently enrolled in Brookdale Community College, where he plans to further his studies to become a nurse. Gislene currently works at Excelsior Medical Corporation in Neptune. The home is equipped with high-efficiency appliances and compact fluorescent bulbs to help the family conserve energy.
“Now we have the space for our children to play outside, in their own yard, in their own home,” Sergo said. “We are very happy our children have this opportunity.”
Roseline Remy and her three growing daughters will also benefit from the extra space in their new four-bedroom, two-bath home. The family’s new home also includes a rooftop solar unit that will generate electricity from the sun, helping them to further reduce their energy costs. As a certified nursing assistant at the Tower Lodge Care Center in Wall Township, Roseline works hard to take care of residents. She can now look forward to returning to her own home each day and spending time with her daughters Marie, 18, Cathy, 14 and Annabelle, 8.
“For years I have prayed for my dreams to come true,” Roseline said. “And now that they have, I am praying for all those who have helped us along the way.”
The home ownership program began twelve years ago when NJNG donated $25,000 in seed money toward the renovation of a home in Asbury Park. NJNG has provided subsequent contributions, and Interfaith Neighbors has procured additional funds as the program’s administrator. The program aims to provide home ownership opportunities for working-poor families who would otherwise be unable to afford a house. Including today’s dedication, 19 affordable housing units have been offered to qualifying families in local communities.
Last year, NJNG joined with other corporate sponsors who pledged financial support for Interfaith Neighbors’ West Side Revitalization Plan. Under the plan, Interfaith will lead the effort to improve housing conditions, strengthen the economy, enhance community facilities and public spaces and improve social conditions in the area. Through the state’s NRTC program, businesses can receive a 100 percent tax credit of up to $1 million for investing in approved neighborhood revitalization projects in eligible cities. The initial project being undertaken includes the construction of seven affordable housing units, expanded recreation programs and facilities and mixed use projects. The homes purchased by the Raoul and Remy families are the first two affordable housing units to be completed under the plan.
New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) is the principal subsidiary of New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR), a Fortune 1000 company. NJNG serves more than 483,000 customers in New Jersey’s Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex and Morris counties. This service area’s demographics and quality of life contribute greatly to NJNG’s growth. NJNG’s progress is a tribute to the dedicated employees who have shared their expertise and focus on quality through more than 50 years of serving customers and the community to make the company a leader in the competitive energy marketplace. For more information, visit NJNG’s Web site at www.njliving.com.
Contact:
Michael Kinney, Media
732-938-1031
Beacon Technologies, Inc.
