FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, May 1, 2017

 


Grant Totaling $961,250 Helps Nonprofit Revitalize Unity Square Neighborhood in New Brunswick 

Middlesex County, NJNew Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Charles A. Richman today announced a $961,250 grant award through the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) program to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen located in New Brunswick. The NRTC program is administered by the Division of Housing and Community Resources and allocates corporate funding for implementing neighborhood revitalization plans to community-based nonprofit groups. 

Corporations that fund the program receive a 100 percent tax credit against various state taxes for their investments in revitalizing low-and moderate-income neighborhoods in eligible cities. Funds were contributed by Beach Electric Co., Janssen Pharmaceuticals (subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson), M&T Bank and Sterling National Bank.

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen was awarded $961,250 for activities that will revitalize the Unity Square neighborhood in New Brunswick. A portion of the grant will be used for a Housing Resource Center, which will serve as a one-stop-shop to provide education, individualized housing-related counseling and support to landlords and realtors. Funds will also be used to acquire and rehabilitate up to nine distressed residential properties throughout the neighborhood and to improve and beautify the Remsen Avenue commercial strip and its key gateways. Community leadership activities and events will be supported through the grant including the promotion of the Unity Square Community Center and its activities.

Other communities that have benefited from the NRTC program this year include, Jersey City, Orange, Trenton, Camden, Paterson, Salem and Elizabeth.

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen incorporated in 1982, is a nonprofit Agency dedicated to service, quality and outreach for members of the community, especially those who are poor, devalued and in need of help. An approved NRTC plan for the Unity Square neighborhood has been in place since 2007. Additional information on Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen can be found at www.ccdom.org.

NRTC funds must be used by their recipients in accordance with the following requirements:  at least 60 percent for housing and/or economic development activities (including construction and rehabilitation of housing units, creation of commercial facilities, assistance to small businesses, employment training and child care provision); and the remainder (not exceeding 40 percent) for supportive services and other activities that are complementary to neighborhood revitalization (including infrastructure and open space improvements, providing social and community services, recreation activities, crime prevention activities and community outreach activities).

The Division of Housing and Community Resources strengthens and revitalizes communities through the delivery of affordable housing, supportive services and the provision of financial and technical assistance to communities, local government and community based organizations. For more information on the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit program, visit, www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/nrtc.html.

CONTACT:
Tammori Petty
or Emike Omogbai
(609) 292-6055