The Affordable Housing Alliance:
35 Years of Impact
1991-1999
The Foundation Years:
Building Our Team & Portfolio
Setting the Foundation for Decades of Impact
The 1990s marked the birth of a vision that would transform affordable housing in New Jersey. Founded by Donna Blaze with just $25,000 from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, in partnership with the Mental Health Association, the Monmouth Housing Alliance emerged when affordable housing options were critically scarce across Monmouth County. This decade was defined by bold action and strategic growth, from acquiring our first property to winning the Governor’s Award for our innovative work. We built our foundation not just in bricks and mortar, but in people: hiring Toi Collins, whose client-centered approach would shape our culture for decades. By 1999, we had established a proven model of acquisition, rehabilitation, and management that prioritized both housing quality and community building where supportive services were available but not as a requirement to live independently. Each property became more than a roof over one’s head, it became home, with access to beaches, boardwalks, and the dignity every family deserves. The work accomplished in this decade fortified our footing to become the comprehensive housing organization we are today.
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1991A Vision Takes Root
1991 - Monmouth Housing Alliance Founded
Donna Blaze establishes the Monmouth Housing Alliance as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to address the urgent need for affordable housing in Monmouth County, especially those with supportive services needs. Starting with a modest $25,000 grant, the organization plants the seeds for what will grow into the Affordable Housing Alliance, a $10 million annual operation serving communities across New Jersey.
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1994First Property Acquisition
1994 - HIGHLAND APARTMENTS
AHA acquires its first property for $1 from the Resolution Trust Fund: a 16-unit rental community in Highlands, NJ. Board members were challenged to complete all painting and landscaping. Using Monmouth County HOME funds and private financing, we transform aging housing stock into quality homes for low and very-low income tenants, establishing our model of preservation and renewal.
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1996Major Expansion
1996 - Grandview Apartments Achievement
AHA was selected by a majority of tenants in a statewide competition process to acquire and manage Grandview Apartments in Keansburg: 131 units serving very-low, low, and moderate income families. This garden-style community wins the Governor’s Award for innovative tenant-centered management, showcasing our commitment to not just housing, but community building near boardwalks, beaches, and family recreation areas.
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1998
1999State Recognition
1998
1999 - Governor’s Award for Housing ExcellenceThe New Jersey Housing Mortgage Finance Agency honors AHA with the Governor’s Award for Housing Excellence, recognizing our outstanding housing administration and the quality of our work in communities across Monmouth County.
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1999Building Our Foundation
1999 - Toi Collins Joins AHA
Toi Collins is hired to establish our comprehensive information and referral services, beginning what will become AHA’s longest tenure. Her dedication to serving families and individuals becomes the cornerstone of our client-centered approach that continues today. Toi now serves as our Chief Program Officer.
2000-2009
The Years Of New Development & Expanding Our Impact
From Housing Developer to Comprehensive Community Partner
The 2000s transformed AHA from a housing developer into a comprehensive community partner equipped to respond to crisis. We began with innovative new builds demonstrating mixed-income housing solutions and rehabilitated established communities showcasing our commitment to historic preservations. We developed community-centered housing where families gathered on playgrounds and in shared spaces. Our HUD certification in 2005 launched homeownership counseling just as affordable homes were being developed, creating pathways for Section 8 voucher holders to achieve the dream of ownership. But when the Great Recession struck in 2008, we pivoted swiftly, launching foreclosure prevention programs while simultaneously investing in hard-hit communities like Asbury Park and Neptune through Carver Apartments and our NSP scattered sites. By decade’s end, we had expanded our reach beyond Monmouth County into Ocean County and our comprehensive approach to housing stability. We were no longer just developers; we were counselors, advocates, and lifelines during economic storms.
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2000New Development
2000 - Beacon Place
AHA takes ownership of Beacon Place in Middletown: 28 income-restricted rentals within a for-sale condominium community, demonstrating creative solutions to mixed-income housing, becoming a model for private public partnership in affordable housing + market housing development.
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2003Commitment to Preservation
2003 - Viking House Reopens
After three years of comprehensive rehabilitation, Viking House reopens its doors, transforming a 1920s 18-unit boarding home into quality single-resident units. The project demonstrates AHA’s dedication to preserving historic structures while meeting modern housing needs.
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2005Expanding Our Impact
2005 - HUD-Certified Housing Counseling
AHA receives approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide certified housing counseling services. This designation launched a pivotal trajectory for our organization, enabling us to offer expert, unbiased guidance on homeownership, renting, financial management, and homelessness prevention, all at no or low cost to residents. From 2005-2008, before the recession hit, a surge in affordable housing development created unprecedented opportunities. We counseled Section 8 voucher holders toward homeownership, helping families transition from renters to homeowners and expanding our reach beyond Monmouth into Ocean and Mercer counties.
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2006Historic Preservation Meets Modern Need
2006 - Millstone House
AHA rehabilitates the historic Millstone House farmhouse, creating 11 single-room occupancy homes with nearly $900,000 in funding from county, state, and federal sources.
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2006Transitional Housing Supporting Families
2006 - PARK AVENUE APARTMENTS
We also develop Park Avenue Apartments in partnership with the Mental Health Association, providing transitional housing for families experiencing housing loss.
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2007Community Ownership
2007 - Pine Tree Manufactured Home Park
AHA acquires and reconstructs Pine Tree Manufactured Home Park in Eatontown: 121 units offering low and moderate income families the opportunity to own their own homes. Upgrades include new infrastructure, solar panels, a community center, and children’s playground, creating a true neighborhood in the heart of Monmouth County.
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2008
2010Crisis Response
2008
2010 - “The Great Recession” — When Crisis Demanded Bold ActionAs the housing market collapsed and families across New Jersey faced foreclosure and economic devastation, AHA answered the call with urgency and innovation. We didn’t just counsel homeowners through the crisis, we invested in the communities hit hardest, transforming what could have been neighborhood decline into opportunities for renewal.
Foreclosure Mitigation Programs Launch (2008) AHA receives HMFA foreclosure prevention grant funding through the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling (NFMC) program. Our HUD-certified counselors provide free assistance through newly launched HomeKeeper and HomeSaver programs, expanding our services into foreclosure mediation and prevention. These programs become lifelines for families fighting to stay in their homes.
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2008Carver Apartments Opens
2008 - Building Stability in Hard-Hit Asbury Park
As Asbury Park struggles with foreclosures and economic decline, AHA invests in hope. We transform a historic hotel into 14 age-restricted (55+) units, providing very-low, low, and moderate income seniors with dignity and community in a neighborhood desperate for renewal.
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2009NSP Scattered Sites Development
2009 - Summerfield New construction Asbury Park
Through HUD’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program, AHA partners with Habitat for Humanity and Interfaith Neighbors to develop eight single-family homes in Asbury Park. These homes stabilize blocks devastated by the foreclosure crisis, bringing families back to neighborhoods that had begun to hollow out.
2010-2019
The Transformation Years:
New Name, New Partnerships & Hurricane Sandy Response
Building Resilience Through Partnership and Crisis Response
The 2010s tested AHA’s capacity like never before, and we rose to every challenge. Beginning with transformation, we evolved from Monmouth County Housing Alliance to Affordable Housing Alliance, signaling our readiness to serve beyond county borders with a comprehensive approach to housing stability. Joining NeighborWorks America in 2011 connected us to a national network of expertise and resources that would prove critical in the years ahead. When Monmouth County lost its LIHEAP energy assistance provider in 2012, DCA reached out to AHA specifically, trusting our infrastructure and reputation. We rapidly expanded opening offices in Neptune and Freehold —and then Hurricane Sandy struck. The devastation was unprecedented, but so was our response. We secured one of the largest nonprofit Sandy recovery grants in the tri-state area, converted a Winnebago into a mobile counseling center, and helped over 800 families navigate the overwhelming process of rebuilding their lives. In 2015, we became Monmouth County’s Community Action Partnership (CAP) agency, adding homelessness prevention, rental and homeowner assistance, transportation, and youth programs to our services. This decade also saw sophisticated partnerships with municipalities like Spring Lake and Ocean Township, developing properties that seamlessly blend into their communities while expanding our specialized housing for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Strategic partnerships with the Alpert Group leveraged Sandy relief funds and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to create 48 brand new affordable apartments. By 2019, we had become New Jersey’s trusted partner in housing crisis response: seasoned, scaled, and ready for whatever came next.
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2010New Name, Broader Reach
2010 - Becoming the Affordable Housing Alliance
A decade of growth and expanded services calls for a new identity. The organization evolves from Monmouth Housing Alliance to Affordable Housing Alliance, signaling our readiness to serve beyond Monmouth County borders. This rebranding reflects both our geographic expansion into Ocean and Mercer counties and our evolution into a comprehensive housing organization that develops properties, provides counseling, and responds to community crises with equal expertise.
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2011National Partnership
2011 - NeighborWorks America Chartered Member
AHA becomes a chartered member of NeighborWorks America, gaining access to grants, training, technical assistance, and a national network of housing organizations. This partnership strengthens our capacity to create affordable housing and build community resilience.
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2012Keeping the Lights On
2012 - Becoming Monmouth County’s Energy Assistance Provider
When Monmouth County lost its LIHEAP energy assistance agency, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs reached out to AHA specifically, recognizing our infrastructure, capacity, and commitment to vulnerable residents. AHA accepts the responsibility of becoming the sole LIHEAP/USF distributor for all of Monmouth County, ensuring families could keep their heat and lights on during the most difficult financial moments. To meet this urgent need, we rapidly expand our team and open offices in Neptune and Freehold to handle the application season. We were scaling up to serve the county —and then disaster struck.
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2012Hurricane Sandy Response
2012 - When Disaster Struck, AHA Became the Lifeline
On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy devastated the Jersey Shore. Families lost everything. Entire communities faced an overwhelming, complex recovery process that required navigating federal programs, insurance claims, contractor fraud, and rebuilding decisions most had never imagined making. AHA’s newly expanded infrastructure and hard-won expertise positioned us to respond at a scale that would define our organization for years to come.
Our Multi-Front Response:
Immediate Relief Through NeighborWorks America We secured emergency grant funding to provide immediate disaster relief assistance to displaced families, offering crisis counseling and emergency support when people needed it most.
Major Investment in Housing Recovery AHA receives $1M, one of the largest direct nonprofit awards, for Sandy recovery in the tri-state area from the Robin Hood Relief Fund. We use these funds to create six new homes in Pine Tree Manufactured Home Community, relocating residents who lost their homes to the storm and rebuilding lives along with structures.
The Mobile Housing Recovery Resource Center Innovation born from necessity: We convert a Winnebago into a mobile office, bringing HUD-certified housing counselors directly to the hardest-hit coastal communities. Our Housing Recovery Resource Center (HRRC) provides one-on-one counseling on financial management, contractor fraud prevention, foreclosure mediation, and navigating New Jersey’s complex RREM rebuilding program. We hold bi-weekly workshops and meet people where they are -–literally.
800+ Families Served Over three years, we help more than 800 clients navigate the overwhelming recovery process, becoming one of the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund’s most impactful grants. Our detailed knowledge of local and state programs combined with individual financial assessments proves most helpful to homeowners trying to piece their lives back together.
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2013Specialized Housing Solutions
2013 - Burnt Tavern Group Home
AHA opens one of two supportive group homes in Millstone, NJ, serving six low to moderate income eligible individuals with developmental disabilities. This single-room occupancy homes blend assistance with independence, providing therapeutic services in a home-like rural setting.
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2013Specialized Housing Solutions
2013 - Novad Court Group Home
AHA opens a second supportive group home in Millstone, NJ, serving six low to moderate income eligible individuals with developmental disabilities. This single-room occupancy homes blend assistance with independence, providing therapeutic services in a home-like rural setting.
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2013Specialized Housing Solutions
2013 - Spring House Merger
AHA merges with the Homing Corporation, acquiring the Spring House property with 13 units across three buildings, expanding our capacity to serve individuals with special needs.
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2014Specialized Housing Solutions
2014 - Warren Avenue Apartments
In partnership with Spring Lake, AHA develops four units that blend seamlessly into a town where average home prices exceed $1 million. This innovative public-private partnership becomes a model presented at the 2015 Governor’s Conference on Housing and Economics.
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2015Comprehensive Community Services
2015 - Becoming Monmouth County’s CAP Agency
AHA is designated as the Community Action Program (CAP) agency for Monmouth County, dramatically expanding our ability to serve vulnerable residents. This milestone adds critical homelessness prevention services to our portfolio, including rental assistance, homeowner support, transportation programs, and youth services. We evolve from housing developer and counselor into a comprehensive safety net for families facing housing instability, offering wraparound services that address the interconnected challenges of poverty, housing insecurity, and access to opportunity.
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2016Senior Living Excellence
2016 - Spring House Expansion & Allen House I Opens
AHA adds units to the Spring House complex and opens Allen House I: ten 1-bedroom units for seniors 62+ on a beautiful four-acre lakeside property in Millstone Township. Funded through HUD Section 202 and multiple partners, this development offers seniors access to nature while meeting fair housing requirements.
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2017Coastal Community Investment
2017 - Oceanport Manor
AHA acquires and renovates 12 apartment units in Oceanport, creating quality one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes for income-eligible families with funding from Monmouth County HOME and Federal Home Loan Bank. The property’s Victorian-inspired architectural details are thoughtfully designed to blend seamlessly with Oceanport’s coastal community character, proving that affordable housing can honor local aesthetics while serving families in need.
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2019Strategic Partnerships
2019 - Cindy Lane Family Ventures
In partnership with the Alpert Group, AHA develops 48 units in Ocean Township using Super Storm Sandy relief funds and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. As one of few local nonprofits meeting NJ LIHTC experience requirements, we leverage this project to maximize community impact with five units dedicated to special needs households.
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2019Specialized Housing Solutions
2019 - Millstone Place
Four newly constructed units specifically serve formerly homeless individuals in Millstone, featuring one 1-bedroom, two 2-bedroom, and one 3-bedroom apartment with wraparound support services.
2020-Now
New Leadership,
New Vision & Pandemic Resilience
Visionary Leadership and Through Unprecedented Challenges
As AHA entered its fourth decade, the world changed overnight —and so did we. The COVID-19 pandemic created an immediate eviction and housing stability crisis unlike anything we’d faced. We responded with speed and innovation: Emergency Rental Assistance programs provided critical financial relief, but we quickly recognized money alone wasn’t enough. We established the Ocean County Homeless Prevention Team and secured the Affordable Housing and Supportive Services Demonstration (AHSSD) Program grant, fundamentally reimagining how we serve residents. We added residential service coordinators who provide mental health support, substance use recovery assistance, and financial literacy programs, recognizing that housing stability requires addressing the whole person. Then came new leadership: Randi Moore’s ascension to CEO in 2021 marked the beginning of AHA’s most ambitious period, one defined by innovation in both housing development and service delivery. We pioneered new funding models recognizing housing as healthcare through the NJ FamilyCare Medicaid grant, creating sustainable revenue to serve more families. We expanded beyond individual properties to comprehensive neighborhood revitalization through the NRTC program in North Middletown-Port Monmouth and Keansburg. New developments like Patriot Square, 6 Novad Court, and Allen House II showcased sophisticated municipal partnerships and bipartisan support at all government levels. From a $25,000 start, AHA now manages over 400 units and serves thousands annually, proving that visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to mission can drive innovation well into a fourth decade —and beyond.
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2020Pandemic Response
2020 - COVID-19: Meeting Unprecedented Need with Expanded Services
When the COVID-19 pandemic created an eviction and housing stability crisis, AHA responded with speed and innovation. Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) programs provided critical financial relief for rent, rental arrears, utilities, and housing-related expenses, but we quickly recognized that financial assistance alone wasn’t enough. Our residents needed comprehensive support to maintain affordable living.
Expanding Beyond Emergency Relief We established the Ocean County Homeless Prevention Team to administer rental assistance across a broader service area. But the real transformation came through the Affordable Housing and Supportive Services Demonstration (AHSSD) Program grant, which allowed us to fundamentally reimagine how we serve our residential communities.
Residential Service Coordinators: A New Model AHA expands our property management team to include two residential service coordinators who provide on-site supportive services to residents across our housing portfolio. These coordinators connect residents to mental health resources, alcohol and substance use disorder recovery support, homeownership counseling, and financial literacy programs, recognizing that housing stability requires addressing the whole person, not just rent payments. This pandemic-era innovation becomes a permanent part of our service model.
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2020Winding Ridge Transformation
2020 - Winding Ridge Apartments
In partnership with the Alpert Group and Township of Neptune, AHA converts an existing market-rate complex into 98 rehabilitated affordable apartments (18 two-bedroom, 80 three-bedroom), utilizing Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and CDBG funds.
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2021New Leadership, New Communities
2021 - Randi Moore Becomes CEO
Randi Moore becomes the new CEO on May 1, 2021, leading AHA into its next chapter of growth and innovation with fresh vision and strategic direction.
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2021New Leadership, New Communities
2021 - Patriot Square Opens
AHA takes ownership of 20 newly constructed one-bedroom apartments in Tinton Falls, specifically designed for formerly homeless residents. Located near Red Bank, Long Branch beaches, and Asbury Park’s arts scene, Patriot Square offers optimal access to employment and community resources.
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2024Infrastructure for Growth
2024 - NJ FamilyCare Housing Supports Provider Grant
Recognizing that housing is healthcare, AHA receives funding to build infrastructure for billing Medicaid for housing stability services, creating a sustainable revenue model to assist more families. This transformative grant allows us to continue providing the wraparound services our residents need while ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
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2024Infrastructure for Growth
2024 - NRTC Community Revitalization Initiatives
Through New Jersey’s Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program, AHA launches ambitious revitalization initiatives in North Middletown-Port Monmouth and Keansburg, expanding beyond individual housing developments to comprehensive community development strategies. These initiatives recognize that housing stability requires thriving neighborhoods with economic opportunity, infrastructure improvements, and community investment.
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2025Investing in Our Communities
2025 - Lowe’s Hometowns Grant Awarded
AHA is selected as one of 100 nationwide Lowe’s Hometowns projects to receive funding for major renovations. The grant revitalizes Pine Tree’s Community Room and Playground, originally opened in 2009, transforming these spaces into accessible, vibrant gathering areas for residents. The renovated facilities provide a hub for programs and neighbor connections, strengthening community bonds in one of our longest-standing developments.
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2025Investing in Our Communities
2025 - Allen House II Opens
AHA opens our second senior housing community in Millstone with ten one-bedroom apartments for seniors 55+. Utilizing NJDCA National Housing Trust Fund, Monmouth County HOME, Federal Home Loan Bank, and municipal trust funds, Allen House II expands affordable senior housing options on the beautiful lakeside campus, continuing our commitment to providing dignified, nature-connected living for older adults.
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2025Investing in Our Communities
2025 - 6 Novad Court Opens
Three newly constructed two-bedroom apartments welcome their first residents, three families transitioning out of homelessness. Located in Millstone Township with modern amenities and comprehensive supportive services, this development represents the power of effective municipal-nonprofit collaboration. The opening ceremonies drew bipartisan support from Mayor Al Ferro, Senator Owen Henry, and representatives from US Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, demonstrating that affordable housing solutions transcend political divisions when communities come together. The project’s excellence was recognized with the Outstanding Project Award for New Development from the Housing & Community Development Network of New Jersey (HCDNNJ) and Project of the Year from the Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey (SHA-NJ).
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2026Building the Future
2026 - Millstone Commons Opening Fall 2026
Breaking new ground both literally and figuratively, we launched construction on Millstone Commons at 27 Burnt Tavern Road. This 67-unit development represents a historic milestone as New Jersey’s first 100% affordable LIHTC project built with on-site well and septic systems, opening doors for affordable housing development in areas without municipal infrastructure. The thoughtfully designed apartments will serve very-low to moderate income families, with dedicated units for those experiencing homelessness and community spaces that foster connection and support.
Looking Ahead
From a $25,000 beginning to managing over 400 affordable housing units and serving thousands through counseling and support services, AHA’s 35-year journey reflects unwavering commitment to our mission. As we transition NRTC initiatives from planning to implementation and expand housing stability services through innovative funding models, we continue building not just homes, but hope and opportunity for all New Jersey residents.
The Affordable Housing Alliance: Where Housing Meets Hope, Strength and Community.
