ABOUT
The Urban League of Essex County's (ULEC) Opportunity Corp. (OC) is a special subsidiary of ULEC that advances the organization’s overall mission to help African Americans and disadvantaged residents achieve economic and social advancement.
OC’s focus is housing rehabilitation and sale of affordable homes for low- and moderate-income families in Newark’s West Ward and other communities in Essex County, New Jersey. This is a means for us to spur homeownership and wealth building as well as promote community stability.
THE URBAN LEAGUE'S SERVICES
The Urban League of Essex County offers a comprehensive and holistic approach to community development. Families can come to our Financial Opportunity Center for financial literacy. This helps community members to improve their credit scores and savings to support their journey to homeownership.
Our Housing Counseling program offers housing education and first-time homebuyers workshops facilitated by our experienced staff and HUD-approved housing counselors. We also work with residents to make home improvements to their properties.
The Urban League of Essex County in coordination with various stakeholders in the Fairmount Heights neighborhood, established the Neighborhood Plan for revitalization. The Plan calls for the Urban League to construct and rehabilitate over 100 housing units in the Fairmount Heights neighborhood and to lead other housing and economic development activities for the benefit of the community.
BUILDING HEALTHIER, MORE EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES (BHEC)
The Newark Convening took place on October 25-26, 2023, as part of the Building Healthier, More Equitable Communities (BHEC) in New Jersey initiative. BHEC supports cross-sector teams in advancing community development priorities that create the neighborhood conditions necessary to improve the social determinants of health and racial equity.
Thanks to the Reinvestment Fund for leading the BHEC initiative funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF).
THE URBAN LEAGUE'S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
To date, the Urban League and OC have completed the rehabilitation and new construction of over 30 housing units in the City of Newark and bordering cities in Essex County, New Jersey using public and private funding. For example, the Heights of Fairmount Avenue project consisted of six new multi-family homes which were sold to local community applicants at affordable prices ranging from about $190,000 to $350,000.
We are grateful for our supportive and productive partnerships with the City of Newark, New Community Corporation, Local Initiative Supportive Corporation (LISC), the Victoria Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Building Healthier and More Equitable Communities Initiative, Wells Fargo Bank, PSE&G, and more.
IN THE NEWS
New Home Ownership Program for Newark Residents (NJ Spotlight News; July 2023)
Three Families Become Homeowners in Newark Through Section 8 Program (Tapinto; July 2021)
Urban League of Essex County Aims to Boost Homeownership in Newark (WBGO 88.3 FM; July 2021)
Mayor Baraka Announces Two Development Teams to Implement Fairmount Commons Redevelopment Plan (Insider NJ; March 2021)
READY FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP?
If a newly constructed home in Newark is right for your family, we would be happy to see a ULEC home fulfill your dreams. We have several homes in development along Fairmount Ave and Camden Street, with multiple floor plans that may suit your family’s size or budget.
Visit our Real Estate page for more information.
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For more information:
Nethaniah Josma
Program Manager
Real Estate + Project Management
973-624-9535 x268