Morris County Joins GMM Habitat Groundbreaking in Mount Olive
Published on July 24, 2025
Commissioner Honors Organization’s 40th Anniversary with Certificate of Recognition
Morris County Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw joined Mayor Joe Nicastro and Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat for Humanity (GMM Habitat) today to break ground on a new affordable housing development at 23 Stonewald Court in the Budd Lake section of Mount Olive Township.
View Photos from the Groundbreaking Ceremony
During the ceremony, Deputy Director Shaw presented a certificate of honor to GMM Habitat CEO Liz DeCoursey on behalf of the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, commemorating the organization’s 40th anniversary and continued service to the community.
“President Abraham Lincoln understood how important housing was when he said, ‘The strength of a nation can be told in its housing,’” said Deputy Director Shaw. “I like to say it’s not just housing -- it’s a home. It’s a foundation for that family’s future. Morris County was proud to support this project with $375,000 in federal funding through our Community Development Office.”
In addition to federal funding through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, the project is being supported by more than $1.6 million from the New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund, a $50,000 donation from the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, a $10,000 contribution from New Jersey Natural Gas, and a $750,000 contribution from Mount Olive Township, which also donated the land.
Since 1985, Morris Habitat has built or rehabilitated more than 200 homes locally, preserved 531 homes and served 1,100 families globally through construction, rehabs and repairs.
The Stonewald Court project will create seven new ENERGY STAR-certified single-family homes for income-eligible families, including two-bedroom, three-bedroom and four-bedroom models. Each home will carry a deed restriction to ensure long-term affordability.
Construction is expected to be completed in 2026.
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Photo 1: Morris County Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw presents a certificate to Greater Middlesex and Morris Habitat for Humanity Executive Officer Liz DeCoursey at the groundbreaking at the new Stonewald Court site in the Budd Lake neighborhood of Mount Olive Township.
Photo 2: From left, Mount Olive Township Council President John Mania and Mayor Joe Nicastro, Morris County Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw, architect Seth A. Leeb, Greater Middlesex and Morris Habitat for Humanity Executive Officer Liz DeCoursey, Mount Olive business Administrator Andrew Tatarenko and attorney Jim Mullen. Leeb and Mullen donated their services to the project.