Homeless Solutions Shows off Newest Project

Emelda Willis is moving on up.

Channeling the late Sherman Helmsley on Thursday, the lifelong Morristown resident beamed as she walked through and took questions about her new apartment at 29 Abbett Ave., which was completely renovated this year by .

Coming from the Beverly apartments on Flagler Street–and having previous stints in Manahan Village and the Jacob Ford Apartments–Willis noted geographically, "I'm also moving on over."

The house, containing two apartments on the first and second floors, is the third project on Abbett Avenue for Homeless Solutions and its first purchased through foreclosure, said Director of Headquarters Development Dan McGuire.

During the housing market boom the property had been going for over $400,000, he said. Final purchase price: $185,000.

McGuire called the house "intensively used," noting it had fallen into considerable disrepair. 

"It's a gut rehab," he said. "All new exterior, all the walls were taken out. The back and front porch is pretty much all that was left."

The entire project cost about $500,000, he said. That includes many "green" features such as a solar-supplemented gas fired hot water boiler, low-flow water fixtures, extra insulation, Hardi Plank siding and radiant heating under floors made of bamboo, a renewable resource. As Homeless Solutions holds the mortgage, "we felt a little investment up front would pay off in the years to come," McGuire said.

Property Manager Latesha Davis pointed out the brightness of every room, aided by the light-colored floors that, in the kitchen, play off a rich dark wood for the cabinets.

She said Willis, who is permanently disabled, would never be able to afford to stay in her hometown on a fixed income. But, through Homeless Solutions, "now she can," Davis said.

"This is just gorgeous," Board Member Grant Parr said. "I can't believe you could open this up this much."

"It was dirty, it was something you didn't want to walk through," said Homeless Solutions board member Ken Nickel. "It's a marvelous vision this organization has."

Looking around at what is about to become her new home, Willis said, "this is heaven."

Willis said she "thought she'd have a heart attack" when Davis told her–after years of monthly calls to see if her name had come up in the housing lottery for qualified applicants–that she could move in on Aug. 1.

"Your persistence has paid off," Davis said.