2025 Under One Roof Honorees

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The Honorable Sheila Y. Oliver Community Development Champion Award
William Best, Retired, Senior Vice President, Northeast Market Manager, PNC
The Network's Community Development Champion Award, named in honor of the late Lt. Gov. Sheila Y. Oliver, is presented to allies of our sector who have made meaningful contributions to building strong, affordable communities. As an early champion of the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program, Mr. Best helped establish one of the state’s most successful public–private partnerships, empowering Network members to strengthen neighborhoods. From his time at PNC to his role as Executive Director of the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority, he have been instrumental in expanding affordable opportunities for residents across the state. For all his efforts to help HouseNJ and strengthen NJ communities, we are proud to name William Best as the Hon. Sheila Y. Oliver Community Development Champion for 2025.

Exceptional Community Partner,
Pro Bono Partnership
The Pro Bono Partnership has served NJ’s nonprofit community for nearly three decades. Throughout that time, they’ve provided more than 37,000 hours of free legal help for nearly 1,000 nonprofit clients through 1,794 volunteer attorneys. From assisting with contracts and bylaws, intellectual property agreements, trademarks, development of a personnel manual or launching a C4 organization, Pro Bono Partnership helps nonprofits build capacity and reduce risk with a solid legal foundation. They are truly an invaluable resource for the Network and our members.

Advocacy and Organizing Award,
Make the Road NJ
Make the Road NJ secured a monumental victory in September when the City of Passaic enacted a new rent stabilization ordinance, which caps most rent increases at 3%. The ordinance affects nearly half of the city’s renters, many of whom make less than $20,000 a year. To achieve this victory, Make the Road collected enough signatures to force a referendum in which voters were asked, among other things, whether they supported a 3% rent increase cap. The work isn’t over yet; Make the Road will now reach out to the city's renters and make them better aware of the rent ordinance's provisions and host a series of town hall meetings. We honor Make the Road for inspiring other tenant advocates and showing what is possible in other communities.

Hall of Heroes,
NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice
The NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice is NJ's largest immigrant coalition, bringing together over 55 organizations to advocate for policies that empower immigrants. Their work has included fighting for language access, pandemic economic relief, healthcare for ALL children, drivers’ licenses for all, banning immigration detention and so much more. NJAIJ has stood in the face of adversity with grace and courage, especially throughout the last two years when federal immigration policy has focused on mass deportations, increased enforcement, the termination of legal and humanitarian pathways, and restricting access to benefits. NJAIJ has been a resource for NJ community developers who work directly with immigrant communities and inspires others to join in the fight against injustice.

Outstanding Project Award ~ Innovation
Coming Home Middlesex County
In partnership with the Perth Amboy YMCA, Coming Home of Middlesex County created new homes guided by new standards. Thanks to help from design experts and local businesses, the two-family construction is the first passive house built in Middlesex County, minimizing emissions and impact on the local power grid to combat rising utility costs. Their collaboration and diligence kept the schedule short with development wrapping up late last year, in time to provide a home for two families for the holidays.

Outstanding Project Award ~ Innovation
Thriven Design & Foya Development Group
Thriven Design and community development trailblazer Adenah Bayoh completed the transformative Southside View project, bringing 40 units of affordable housing to Newark’s South Ward. What was an empty lot at the start of last year has turned into a five-story building designed with input from the local community. Committed to supporting its residents, Southside View will provide Wi-Fi along with daily education assistance for children through free school laptops and daily tutoring. This project also marked the first woman-owned and Black-owned development to receive funding through NJHMFA’s 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit.

Outstanding Project Award ~ New Development
Habitat for Humanity of South Central NJ
Habitat for Humanity SCNJ added to the growing number of modular home builds across the state, a method that allowed them to complete six new homes in as many months. These homes — three designated for veterans and three for low-income families — were supported by Phoenix Partner’s predevelopment work and funding from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. By completing sections of the builds at a different location well in advance, it took only a few weeks to go from breaking ground on Belleview Ave. to moving the families into their new homes.

Outstanding Project Award ~ New Development
Affordable Housing Alliance
AHA and Millstone Township worked together to construct a new building with three two-bedroom apartments, each of which is designed to provide critically needed supportive housing to three families experiencing homelessness. The new homes, located on Novad Ct., are situated right next to different stores, restaurants, and recreational areas, giving residents many essentials within walking distance. The team took extra care in the planning phases to not disrupt the surrounding environment and visual character of the town during the development, which was supported by the township and the National Housing Trust Fund.

Outstanding Project Award ~ New Development
Greater Middlesex and Morris Habitat for Humanity
Greater Middlesex and Morris Habitat for Humanity completed the second and final phase of their largest project to date, bringing 25 new affordable homes to Morris County. These homes are spread across four buildings constructed on land donated by Randolph Township. Like many other Habitat builds, most of the labor was volunteered by prospective future homeowners. Through their sweat equity, collaboration with the town and community, and a variety of funding avenues, GMM Habitat was able to make a substantial contribution to the supply of permanent affordable homes.

Outstanding Project Award ~ Redevelopment
Passaic County Habitat for Humanity
Children in Paterson’s 1st Ward now have a long-awaited place to play at Jeannette Thompson Park, thanks to Passaic County Habitat for Humanity. Named after the community leader who championed the project for years, the park is a dramatic transformation from the vacant, overgrown lot that had blighted the neighborhood for nearly a decade. Today, the once-neglected space is filled with vibrancy and joy—open fields, art, music, and recreational areas—made possible by the collective efforts of the community, Passaic Habitat, and support from the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit.

Outstanding Project Award ~ Healthy Homes
Collaborative Support Programs of NJ
Collaborative Support Programs of NJ is receiving recognition not for a single project, but for their invaluable work providing steady services that showcase a dedication to supporting healthy communities. Their direct street outreach with homeless individuals connects people with the exact support or service they need, whether its official identification documents, substance use recovery, prevention programs, and so much more. 2025 saw the launch of their Bringing Veterans Home program, sending similar assistance and supportive housing to New Jersey’s homeless veterans. They also operate seasonal Warming/Cooling Centers, which offer unsheltered people a place away from the dangerous and extreme temperatures of freezing nights in the winter and heat waves in the summer. It’s thanks to these lifesaving services that many of New Jersey’s most at-risk residents can stay safer and healthier.

Lasting Achievement Recognition: Celebrating Our Members' Milestone Anniversaries
A recognition of our core community development members who are reaching milestone anniversaries over 25 years

Rescue Mission of Trenton
Celebrating 110 years: Founded in 1915