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Phone: (856) 963-8018
Fax: (856) 963-9005

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 Picture: MCHH Office: 650 Clinton Street

Please mail Donations to Post Office Box Address

Metro Camden Habitat for Humanity
P.O. Box 3311
Camden, NJ 08101

Office Address

Metro Camden Habitat for Humanity
650 Clinton Street

Camden, NJ 08103

Directions to our office

From Ben Franklin Bridge (Philly): 
Stay in the right-hand lane while on bridge, take the first exit BROADWAY. Proceed 9 blocks on Broadway. Turn LEFT on CLINTON St. then proceed 2 blocks to the intersection of Clinton & 7th Sts. Office is on your right, blue corner building, #650.

From Route 30 aka Admiral Wilson Blvd: 
Take the MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD. exit, and bear right following the ramp up and over the Admiral Wilson, then make FIRST LEFT at the light onto NEWTON AVE.(you will see NJ Transit bus depot on your left). Go thru the stop light (S. 10th St.) and under the High Speed Line overpass to the next light. Turn RIGHT at the light onto HADDON AVE. Go to the next light (Cooper Hospital) and make LEFT onto BENSON ST. Bear around the hospital entrance and make a LEFT onto 7th St. (divided tree-lined street). Go 3 blocks on 7th to the intersection of 7th & Clinton Streets – Office on your right, blue corner building, #650. 

From 676: 
Take exit 5A Martin Luther King Blvd. and at the bottom of the exit you will come to a light at which you will bear RIGHT. Immediately get into the left-hand lane and make a LEFT at the light onto HADDON AVE. Take a RIGHT at the next light (Cooper Hospital) onto BENSON ST. and bear around the hospital entrance. Make a LEFT onto 7th St. (divided tree-lined street). Go 3 blocks on 7th to the intersection of 7th & Clinton Streets – Office on your right, blue corner building, #650. 

From Walt Whitman Bridge, or 295 South or 130 South of Camden: Take 676 North, follow directions above.

From 130 North of Camden:
 Follow signs for Rt. 30 West and Ben Franklin Bridge. Follow directions from Admiral Wilson Blvd.

From 295 North of Camden:
 Exit at Rt. 70 West and follow signs for Rt. 30 West and Ben Franklin Bridge. Follow directions for Admiral Wilson Blvd.

From New Jersey Turnpike: 
Take Exit 4 and follow Rt. 73 North to Rt. 38 West. Follow signs for Rt. 30 West and Ben Franklin Bridge. Follow directions for Admiral Wilson Blvd.

From PATCO High Speedline:
Take BROADWAY exit. Exit onto Broadway and depending on the staircase you came up, you want to walk over the train tracks crossing Broadway to the light. Cross over Martin Luther King Blvd (AKA Mickle St.) and walk LEFT on MLK Blvd. towards Cooper Hospital (you will see the Cooper Parking Garage on the corner of the next major intersection). Turn RIGHT at the light onto Haddon Ave. (you are now walking around the perimeter of Cooper Hospital). Walk to the next light and turn RIGHT onto Benson St. Proceed to the tree-lined divided road ahead (7th St.) and go 3 blocks (away from the hospital) on 7th St. to the intersection of 7th & Clinton Streets. Office is on your right, blue corner building, #650. Total walking time: just under 10 minutes.

About Us

Metropolitan Camden Habitat for Humanity, Inc. was founded in 1986, as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, International. Also known as Metro Camden HFH, or MCHH, we partner with God, people, and organizations to build and renovate houses for those in need of affordable, decent homes in Camden County, NJ.  In addition, we foster and empower healthy communities through educational programs in personal finance, successful homeownership, and job training in the construction trades. 

Volunteer labor, cash and in-kind contributions and interest-free mortgages combine to make home ownership possible for families who could not otherwise afford to own their own home.  

As opposed to charity, Habitat for Humanity embraces partnership with the poor. Every Habitat homeowner has worked "sweat equity" alongside the volunteers to earn their house. Every Habitat homeowner will pay full price for their house (Partner Family at settlement, left). Homeowners have a financial stake in their homes and their communities. Homeownership has been demonstrated to be critical to rebuilding stable communities.

MCHH subsidizes its homeowners by financing 99% of the purchase price at an interest rate of 0%. We believe the word of God in Ex 22:25, when He commanded the Israelites not to lend money at interest to their neighbors who were poor. To us this is common sense. None of the families we've housed could have qualified for a bank mortgage—they couldn't afford the interest.

The whole point of affordable housing is to give a family the opportunity to have more money leftover at the end of the month to use for other important things in life. How those choices are made is entirely up to the family. However, if a household doesn't wisely manage their money, they could still be no better off, not having the money saved for their dreams, let alone repairs to their house. Therefore MCHH requires homeownership training (right) including household budgeting for every partner family.   We are happy to say that there are at least five Habitat children in college, and one of our homeowners has gone back to school to become a nurse.

We are not satisfied just placing families into pretty houses. MCHH promotes community in the neighborhoods in which it works and provides education and support to help new homeowners succeed. We earnestly desire that our Partner Families commit themselves to the mutual support required to build a strong community. Our long-range goal is to leave behind attractive, vibrant neighborhoods that are desirable to live in.  

After working on scattered sites, the Board of Directors decided to work on transforming a community, and identified the blighted 600 Block of Clinton Street (below)  as a site in need of redevelopment..

                                    1993                                                                            1998

MCHH has continued to add to this initial Clinton Street Project by rehabilitating houses on the opposite side of the street, totaling 16 houses completed in the 600 block of Clinton Street, as well as rehabilitating houses on adjacent streets.  In addition, MCHH built the Sixth Street Project, just one block away from Clinton Street, on vacant land (left), providing new-construction housing for seven families (right).

Our strategy for the future is to continue to work in the Cooper Plaza neighborhood, rehabilitating as many abandoned row houses as possible, as well as building new units on vacant land located just South of the Sixth Street Project on two separate sites.  This should provide and additional 25 families with the opportunity to own a simple, decent, affordable house for the first time.

Click here to view a progress map of the Cooper Plaza neighborhood

Just as we offer a hand up to families in need of affordable housing, MCHH expanded its mission in June of 2006 to include a Construction Trades Training Program (CTTP) extending hands-on job training in the construction trades for individuals who may be seeking to make a positive change in their lives.   Click here fore more information on the CTTP.

Frequently Asked Questions

General

Partner Families

Funding

Property Acquisition

Personal Safety

 General

What is Habitat for Humanity?

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. It seeks to eliminate substandard housing and to make simple, decent shelter for all God's people a matter of conscience. Habitat invites people from all walks of life to work together in partnership to help build houses with families in need. In Camden, Metro Camden Habitat for Humanity (MCHH) has so far transformed 36 abandoned, vandalized shells into modest, like-new housing, as well as built 8 new-construction houses for a total of 44 families striving to improve their situation. MCHH promotes community in the neighborhoods in which it works by focusing on working in a neighborhood, instead of scattered sites.

What does it mean that Habitat is an “ecumenical Christian housing ministry”?

The word ministry signifies that the first priority of Habitat for Humanity is people, not lumber or drywall or paint. Without concern for the well being of other people, all the rest is irrelevant. We count houses because it’s an easy way to measure progress, but the true measure of our success is changed lives. Still, we are a housing ministry. We believe that everyone deserves to live in a simple, decent house. There are many ways to minister to the needs of people. Housing is Habitat for Humanity’s tool of choice. As a Christian housing ministry, Habitat for Humanity derives its purposes and methods from the Bible. Moses taught that we shouldn’t charge interest on a loan to a brother or sister. Moses and Jesus both taught us to have compassion for our neighbors in need. As Miller Fuller, HFH Founder, has put it, “We don’t say we’re a Christian organization to offend people. We say it to describe who we are.” Finally, ecumenical is a fancy way of saying that no one is excluded. Habitat for Humanity is not a church. Although it is Christian, it is non-denominational. We welcome people of all faiths as well as those with no faith. By the same token, we don’t believe it’s necessary to exclude Jesus in order to include others.

How do you reconcile being a Christian Ministry and at the same time a major residential construction company?

Habitat for Humanity, International’s current CEO, Jonathan Reckford, explains in a August, 2006 interview, how Habitat for Humanity is a unifying force while being a grassroots organization with a good business track record. He talks about how “Habitat’s mission is to transform everyone who gets involved. Our role of transformation is helping people view themselves as citizens of the world and to help them experience what authentic community can be.” Click here to read more from this interview with Jonathan Reckford.

Who controls and manages Habitat for Humanity?

Each affiliate is run by local leadership. MCHH's Board of Directors is a diverse group of dedicated volunteers who are deeply concerned about the problem of substandard housing.

MCHH’s BOARD MEMBERS
William Travis                      President and Chair, Board of Directors
Retired Professor, Rowan University

Audrey Denton                   Vice President  & Resource Development Committee Chair
Sandra Ford                         Treasurer
Claudia Young                       Secretary
Faye Clark                           Family Partnership Committee Chair

Memebers
Norma Fauntleroy
Kim Hickson
Barbra Lowe
Douglas Wagner             Executive Director   

How many paid staff are there?

MCHH has a full-time Executive Director, Assistant to the Director, Development Director, Construction Manager, and one Crew Leader. MCHH also has a part-time Bookkeeper. Habitat is first and foremost a volunteer organization. The Board of Directors and committee members are volunteers.

MCHH’s STAFF MEMBERS

Douglass Wagner               Executive Director  

Jeremy Young                     Development Director         

Amy Simcik                         Assistant to the Director   

John Collier                        Construction Manager & Construction Trades Training Program

Bob Fellner                        Restore Manager

Gerry Steiger                     Bookkeeper

Scott Senior                      Crew Leader

ABOUT PARTNER FAMILIES

How are Partner Families selected?

There are basically three criteria: the neediness of their current living situation; their ability to repay an interest-free mortgage (yet their income is low enough to really need Habitat's help); and finally the willingness to work between 250 and 500 hours "sweat equity" to earn their house.

Do the Partner Families get the house for free?

NO! Each family must purchase the house, at 1% down (around $1,000) and MCHH finances the rest, interest-free, until the mortgage is paid back in full (Typically over a 20-25 year period).

How much does a Habitat house cost?

Typical row-houses in the Cooper Plaza neighborhood sell for approx. $80,000+ and the new-construction houses will be selling in the $90,000-$100,000 range.

What's to prevent a new homeowner from moving in and wrecking the house you've spent so much effort to fix up?

The family selection criteria, especially the sweat equity requirement, ensure that the homeowners "buy into" the program. No one who has studded out a wall, cut and nailed up the sheet rock, spackled the joints, applied the molding and painted the wall is likely to put their fist through that wall in a fit of anger. The homeowners attracted by the Habitat program have the self-esteem to take very good care of the house they are so proud to earn.

What's to prevent a homeowner from selling the house that Habitat provides them and making a big profit? 

First of all, you need to understand that the people purchasing Habitat houses are seeking housing security -- decent housing for an affordable price. They do not look at their house as an investment. MCHH does exercise prudence nonetheless, by retaining the first option to repurchase the house in the event of sale. If MCHH declines to exercise its option, a second mortgage due on sale returns to MCHH the difference between the Habitat sale price and fair market value on the day the family moved in. This mechanism prevents any homeowner from reaping windfall profit at Habitat's expense.

Is renting an apartment in Camden County expensive?

In 2006, the average rent for a 2-bedroom fair market apartment in Camden County was $947. This requires an annual income of $37,880 to be able to afford it. It is estimated that 59% of renters are unable to afford this amount within Camden County. This is because the annual income of a very low-income family of four is averaged at only $20,640.

What is difference in income between a Camden City household and a Camden County household?

Looking at 2006 Census data, the average yearly income for a Camden County household was $48,097. On the flipside, the average Camden City household had an annual income of only $23,421.

Within Camden County, 36% of the population is below the poverty line, whereas 44% is below the poverty line in Camden City. 58% of Camden County households are homeowners whereas only 38% of Camden City households are homeonwers.

ABOUT FUNDING

Where does MCHH get its funding from? 

Generous contributions from many sources, including houses of worship, corporations, foundations, clubs/organizations, as well as the homeowners mortgages, but above all, concerned individuals from around the area make up the largest source of funding. Government funds are only used for site acquisition and preparation for construction.

What if I already support Habitat for Humanity International? 

That's fine and well, but you should understand that all monies sent to Americus, GA are used in overseas missions. Donations to MCHH are used right here in Camden County. Additionally, unless you specify otherwise, MCHH will automatically tithe 10% of your gift to HFHI so that local giving also supports international efforts.

ABOUT ACQUISITION

How do you select your building sites? 

Having worked on some scattered sites, we've learned the value of neighborhood development. Consequently, we are only interested in sites where a cluster of homes can be developed and the families will have a support network after they move in. The Board of Directors has targeted the City of Camden for building efforts, a city that is ranked the poorest city in the U.S. based on population. The current concentration area is a subdivision of the Cooper Plaza neighborhood, just south of Cooper Hospital. We have a high concentration of our homeowners in this neighborhood, and our future projects were written into the City of Camden’s redevelopment plan.

There are so many vacant houses in Camden City, so why is it so difficult to acquire them? 

Unfortunately many owners of the vacant properties in the City of Camden have disappeared over time, leaving behind their financial problems with their houses when times got tough. Bills unfortunately do not stop coming just because you no longer live at your house. Over time, the bills amount to very large amounts owed on the property, thus being too expensive for MCHH to acquire. There are other means of acquiring vacant property, such as through foreclosure or eminent domain, however they are time-consuming and costly procedures. Even though someone has abandoned their house, the law protects their investments.

ABOUT SAFETY

What if I would like to help but I'm afraid to go to Camden?

Most of the violence reported in Camden occurs after dark. Over the past 20 years we have never had an incident where a volunteer's person was infringed upon. There have only been a handful of situations where a volunteer's possessions were infringed upon, usually due to leaving items outside and stepping away from them. Frankly, this is an excellent opportunity to put your faith into action by putting yourself on the line for something you know in your heart is right. We make sure that you park in a safe area, provide a safe place for your belongings (as well as suggest only bringing what you need for the day, which include your lunch and plenty to drink). There is plenty of on-street parking alongside the MCHH office to keep your vehicle within sight of our office.

What if I don’t have any knowledge about power tools or construction? Will you teach me? 

Before starting any task, MCHH staff makes sure that you understand the task to be done that day, the tools needed to perform the task, and the safety precautions to take. We never ask any volunteer to do anything that you are not physically comfortable with or are not interested in doing, whether that be climb a ladder, use a power tool, etc. We are willing to teach you how to use tools and perform different construction tasks as long as you are interested in it and the task or tools are age appropriate for you. We always want all our volunteers, staff, and partner families to be safe, every day!