STEPS continues effort to put people in homes
Affordable housing remains vexing issue in cental New Jersey
BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer
The dream of buying a home has finally come true for Tamika Lewis, 30, of Ocean Grove.

Lewis, who has waited patiently for four years, was expecting to finally move her three children into a three-bedroom, one-bathroom ranch house in Neptune after her closing date on March 14.

Lewis and her family are one of 29 lowincome families who can attribute the success of buying their first home to Solutions To End Poverty Soon (STEPS), a statewide organization that advocates for minority housing and employment.

In 2005 STEPS was enabled by the township of Lakewood to further its mission to end all facets of poverty when the agency acquired 11.5 acres to build 58 affordable homes with Homes for All Inc., a general contracting developing company based in Toms River.

Although reports in the media indicate these are difficult times for home sales, James Valle, the president of Homes for All Inc., said demand for affordable housing is up.

"Low- and moderate-income families generally have a tough time buying homes, thus making the demand for affordable housing a growing market," Valle said. "We have lists of hundreds of people who are looking for affordable homes. There are so many people looking for affordable homes that the selection is done by lottery in order to be fair with state subsidies."

Homes forAll is engaged in a joint venture with STEPS. They have built 56 homes designated for low-income families throughout the region. The effort is partially funded through regional contribution agreements which are permitted under guidelines established by the state Council on Affordable Housing.

Towns such as Lakewood are permitted to enter into agreements with communities that, in essence, sell off some of their own state-mandated obligation to construct affordable housing.

The communities that accept the obligation and receive money through regional contribution agreements (such as Lakewood) can build affordable housing or rehabilitate substandard housing within their own borders.

Since 2001 STEPS has been educating first-time homebuyers on the process of owning a home with forums titled "Fulfilling the American Dream."

According to Lewis, it was the money management seminars and counseling that prepared her for the process of buying a home. She encourages everyone, regardless of their economic status, to seek out help if they are interested in buying a home.

"I do not make a lot of money and I did it. If I can do it, others can do it, too," Lewis said. "Buying this home means a lot to me. I am happy I got the opportunity. I was patient enough to wait and now my son finally gets to have his own room. My children get to have a front yard. I feel like I am blessed. Anyone can do it. The difference is instead of making a rent payment, you are making a mortgage payment."

In addition to helping low-income families obtain a home, STEPS also reaches out to the community with many initiatives. According to information provided in a brochure, in 2004 the agency added STEPS Espanol to cater to the needs of Latino clients.

In 2006 STEPS became involved with jobs, finding work for people who were unemployed and keeping jobs in New Jersey.

In 2007 STEPS started a women's center that focuses on abused women in the Latino community. Also in 2007, STEPS became the fair housing agency in Lakewood, facilitating landlord and tenant issues, according to information provided by the brochure.

STEPS Director Mike McNeil said he is most proud of "putting 29 families in a home, 29 people who thought they could not do it."

STEPS holds a meeting on the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Lakewood municipal building, 231 3rd Street, Lakewood. The agency provides immediate assistance with no appointment necessary Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 14 South Clifton Avenue, Lakewood.