A $1-million Brownfields Cleanup Grant has been awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to Camden Lutheran Housing Inc. in North Camden, an investment aimed at transforming a contaminated site into affordable housing for local residents.
The Aug. 29 announcement of the grant took place at the intersection of North Front and Elm streets, a Camden location that symbolizes the ongoing efforts to revitalize the city’s neighborhoods. Among those in attendance were local and county officials; Congressman Donald Norcross; Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen; Olivia Glenn, the EPA’s chief of staff and Senior Advisor for Equity; Brandi Johnson, executive director of Camden Lutheran Housing Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to community development in Camden; and Olivette Simpson, director of the Camden Redevelopment Agency.
A brownfield is a property where redevelopment is hindered by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. The cleanup grant was designated to remediate a 0.62-acre site in North Camden. Once cleared, it is expected to be developed into 15 affordable, single-family homes.
“I am grateful to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for awarding this grant funding and for EPA’s continued efforts to support environmental renewal in urban areas like Camden,” Carstarphen said in a press release.
“This city has continually benefited from the Brownfields program, and I was thrilled to see another grant in action in North Camden,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Ed McDonnell at the grant announcement. “Through these grants, we have transformed hazardous sites into safe, beautiful community spaces such as Elijah Perry Park and Judge Robert B. Johnson Park. Now, we can address the need for affordable housing with this newest project.”
The Brownfields Cleanup project is part of a broader effort to redevelop Camden’s neighborhoods by converting once-hazardous sites into productive community spaces. Besides the parks noted by McDonell, similar grants have successfully turned brownfields into other public amenities.
The new grant project not only addresses environmental concerns but also provides a critical boost to affordable housing in Camden. By converting a formerly contaminated site into homes, the initiative reflected a commitment to both environmental justice and community development. The grant also highlights the collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies to benefit Camden residents.
