Governor Murphy & Local/National Leaders Celebrate HACE & Groundwork Elizabeth's Microforest Initiative

Groundwork Elizabeth Director of Operations John Evangelista, HACE Deputy Executive Director Cathy Hart, and Groundwork Elizabeth Executive Director Jonathan Phillips at the microforest kick-off celebration at Kennedy Arms Apartments.

The Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth and Groundwork Elizabeth were joined by community leaders for the microforest kick-off celebration at HACE's Kennedy Arms Apartments.

The project was made possible in partnership with The City of Elizabeth, Kean University, and the New Jersey Conservation Foundation and financed as part of a $367,000 Climate Preparedness Land Restoration Grant from Groundwork USA.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy recognized the milestone of our state's first microforests, “I commend the City and Groundwork Elizabeth for their remarkable cross-sector synergy and tireless work on behalf of Elizabeth residents, which has resulted in yet another Jersey ‘first,’” said Governor Phil Murphy. “New Jersey’s first microforest will help improve air quality and combat the urban heat island effect in Elizabeth while providing residents a place to recreate and connect with their fellow community members. Such invaluable assets are especially critical in our environmental justice communities, which have lacked access to green space and its accompanying physical and mental health benefits for far too long.”

HACE is one of the few housing authorities across the nation that can boast two microforests.

“We’ve been a longtime partner of Groundwork Elizabeth, having worked alongside them to mitigate air pollution and provide services and programs for our residents,” said William D. Jones, Executive Director of HACE. “When they approached us with the microforest concept, we knew it was the perfect fit for HACE; a step to improve the health of our residents within the entire Elizabeth community.”

Happy Black History Month!

Join us in celebrating Black History Month! By recognizing the Black community's contributions, we get a fuller sense of our country's history. Black History is American History. At the Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth, we continually aim to empower our community and promote personal, economic, and social upward mobility.

Jobs Plus Program

Recognition Ceremony

We had a wonderful time celebrating the achievements of our Jobs Plus Participants at our 2023 Jobs Plus Recognition Ceremony. Thank you to Lesniak Institute for American Leadership for their continued support of the program, as well as all of our Jobs Plus Partners who help us provide our participants with amazing opportunities. We look forward to continued partnership and success in the future. Most importantly congratulations to our Jobs Plus Participants; we are so proud of you!

Free Tax Preparation

Tax Time! HACE is offering free tax preparation to residents of HACE-owned and/or managed properties. Residents of the following sites can contact their property manager or visit the administration building for more information:

• 205 First St. E'Port Commons
• E'Port Family Homes
• Farley Towers
• F&B Gardens
• Ford Leonard
• Kennedy Arms
• Marina Village
• Mravlag Manor
• O'Donnell-Dempsey

Congratulations to the First Annual Scholarship Gala Recipients

The Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth is pleased to unveil the recipients of its newly revitalized scholarship program. Three scholarships have been made possible through the success of HACE’s First Annual Scholarship Gala, which is aimed at empowering individuals within the community. The scholarship recipients have been selected from among residents and Section 8 participants of the Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth, as well as City of Elizabeth residents.

Shawn’Yae Myers shared, “The HACE Scholarship provided me with the opportunity to attend my first choice of an HBCU, the illustrious Morgan State University, with a major in nursing, at a lower cost. It allowed me to put more focus on my school and career development of becoming a nurse practitioner, providing me with the financial means. It has contributed to my long-term goals, and I am truly grateful!”

On behalf of all of us at HACE, we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all of the scholarship recipients and wish them every success in their educational endeavors. We appreciate the generous sponsors, supporters, and all those who contributed to the success of the First Annual Scholarship Gala. 

Save the Date: Second Annual Scholarship Gala

HACE invites you to the Second Annual Scholarship Gala, a night celebrating community collaboration, on April 26, 2024, at the Kean University STEM building. Our event will include a cocktail reception, dinner, live music, and a presentation of awards. Please join us to make this event a success by being one of our sponsors!

Purchase a ticket or sponsorship package here, or email CMyers@hacenj.com, LJones@hacenj.com, or BJohnson@hacenj.com.

Checks or other forms of payment may be sent to:

The Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth

Attn: Curtis Myers

688 Maple Ave, Elizabeth, NJ 07202

All proceeds go to the HACE Scholarship Fund.

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