Our Mission:

Metro Camden Habitat for Humanity partners with God, people, and organizations to build and renovate houses for those in need of affordable, decent homes in Camden County.  In addition, will foster and empower healthy communities through educational programs in personal finance, successful homeownership, and job training in the construction trades. 

Facts about Camden City:

Based on 2007 data from the United States Census Bureau, 35.6% of the city's residents live in poverty, the third highest rate in the nation.  The city had a median household income of $25,961, the third lowest of all U.S. communities with populations of more than 65,000 residents, making it America's third poorest city.  Just one year prior, Camden ranked number one for its poverty rate and had the lowest median income. In comparison, New Jersey has the second highest median income in the country, just behind Maryland. Nine of NJ’s counties rank in the top 100 wealthiest counties in the U.S.  It is for this reason that the Board of Directors has decided to focus on rebuilding the neighborhoods and lives of Camden City residents as a priority within our service area of Camden County.

Abandoned row houses are being rehabbed in blighted blocks of Camden.  No longer havens for drugs and crime, these buildings are transformed and now providing shelter for families in need of a decent place to live.  If not for Habitat’s interest-free mortgages these families would never be able to afford to own their own home. 

With your help, we can revitalize Camden’s neighborhoods.

So far, we have housed 44 families. Please consider offering your time, financial support and prayers to help us bring more families dreams into reality here in Camden City!

NEWS

Waiting on the World to Change – 20/20 highlights Camden’s children growing up in poverty

Many people have seen the 20/20 Diane Saywer episode about Camden kids and have felt compelled to help however they can. We have been listed as an organization in Camden who helps children. We do this by providing affordable housing to families who could not afford a conventional mortgage.

While we do not work directly with the children who were highlighted in the episode we do help families in need of affordable housing in Camden City.

A Habitat house is safer, dryer, warmer and usually larger than the family’s previous living situation. Increased privacy fosters a better environment for homework, enabling children to excel in school.

Fewer than half of the students in Camden schools complete the year in the same school they started--most because their family had to move when the roof started leaking or the rent increased. With an affordable Habitat house, children don’t have to move from school to school. Furthermore, once housing is affordable, many of our homeowners use the leftover money to pay for tuition at private schools, in order to give their children the best opportunity to receive a quality education.

How you can help:

We are always in need of financial contributions to be able to build the houses for the families. We also welcome volunteers to participate on the worksite with us as well. Please contact Amy and visit our Volunteer page for more information on volunteering in Camden, NJ this spring/summer.

See the video on ABC's website: Click here to see the original story.

Update on where they are now (aired 11/10/07) Click here to see the updated story.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Check back for upcoming events.