Another step in Clifton

By Eamon Bencivengo

Project Coordinator

Another step was taken in the development of our Clifton Project when we met with two representatives from Crane Group International.  Operating from their factory in Hillside, NJ, the Crane Group is a leader in the construction of pre-fabricated homes.  These homes are built entirely in their factory including interior and exterior walls, while being prepped for plumbing fixtures and electrical components to be installed on site.  As our tight project site in Clifton presents significant challenges for contractors to build a home on account of the site’s lack of space, the prospect of putting together a pre-fabricated home instead offers a promising solution.  The promise of this solution was magnified when the Crane Group conveyed their willingness, commitment, and enthusiasm to participate in the project.  Our next step is to create a more detailed floor plan of the upcoming project with our architect and submit this plan to the Crane Group for a cost estimate.  Before long we will have a construction budget and soon after, a new completed group home!        

Clifton Home Plan is Underway!

By Eamon Bencivengo

Our hard work in completing the application for developing a special needs home in Clifton has paid off: the Clifton City Council has endorsed our project plan! In addition to this approval, Clifton will be donating the property to us, demolishing the existing structure, and providing a $160,000 grant to finance construction.  While $160,000 in itself is not sufficient to finance our prospective two-story, four bedroom home, the allocation of this amount from Clifton is significant because it can be matched by government grant funding.  Our project qualifies for a matching program sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Housing Mortgage Finance Agency.  By qualifying for this program, our project funding doubles from $160,000 to $320,000.  The $320,000 budget enables us to purchase a pre-fabricated home from a modular home company.  We have already contacted two modular companies for estimates reflecting the scope of the job.  In addition, we are in the process of indentifying and evaluating potential service providers for the home.  Before we know it, the Clifton home will be up and occupied!