Our History

Moorestown Ecumenical Neighborhood Development (MEND) is incorporated by representatives of various Moorestown churches: Boyce M. Adams, C. Dixon Heyer, Clarence L. Baylor, G.S. Spohn, Warren D. Sawyer, Rev. Fred D. Tennie, Jr., Steward R. Maines and Harold B. Wells, III, Esq. Chairman Boyce Adams becomes widely recognized as the founder of MEND.

MEND begins construction of its first apartment project, an 18-unit, two-building complex on Beech Street in Moorestown.

The NJ Supreme Court declares in its “Mount Laurel” decision that municipal land use regulations that prevent affordable housing opportunities for the poor are unconstitutional. The Court orders all municipalities to plan, zone and take affirmative actions to provide affordable housing for low and moderate-income people.

Construction of Beech Street Apartments in Moorestown is completed.

MEND becomes one of the first nonprofit developers in the country to utilize the new federal tax credits program for affordable rental housing.

MEND opens the Moorestown Court apartments and acquires a building that formerly housed the Moorestown Fire Department’s Hose Company #1.

MEND completes work on “the Firehouse Apartments,” creating eight dwelling units for the elderly and the disabled.

Construction begins in September on the rehabilitation of the former Lenola Elementary School in Moorestown.

The Lenola apartments are completed, providing 31 one-bedroom and two efficiency apartments for senior citizens of low- and moderate-income.

MEND obtains and rehabilitates three single-family homes, one duplex and five existing apartment properties for a total of 106 units near Main Street in Moorestown.

MEND hires veteran affordable housing developer and former commercial real estate banker Matthew Reilly as President/CEO.

After 34 years of service, MEND founder Boyce M. Adams steps down as Chairperson. He remains active with the organization until his passing in 2006.

In the same year that MEND completes work on its Creed II “Infill Affordable Housing” development in Moorestown; the organization receives awards from NJ Future, the New Jersey Builder’s Association and the New Jersey Community Development Association. MEND founder Boyce Adams’ three daughters Virginia Weber, Deborah Flick and Lisa Christy take part in a ceremony where the firehouse apartments are officially renamed The Boyce M. Adams Firehouse Apartments.

Chestertowne Village Apartments are renamed “Baylor Arms” in honor of Clarence “Sparky” Baylor, one of MEND’s founding Trustees.

MEND and development partner Conifer Realty mark MEND’s 40thanniversary by completing a 14-building, 104-unit project in Evesham. The project received a Governor’s Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing. The Courier Post publishes a featured article on MEND’s pioneering and four decades-long affordable housing mission.

MEND and Conifer complete a 36-unit apartment complex for the elderly and disabled in Medford. The facility was chosen as Best Senior Citizen Housing Finalist (just one of four nationwide!) in the 7thAnnual Reader’s Choice Awards for Affordable Housing Finance Magazine.

MEND’s work and President/CEO Matthew Reilly is profiled in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

MEND and Conifer celebrate the opening of Springside Apartments in Burlington Township with a ribbon cutting ceremony. NJ Future selects the project for MEND’s second Smart Growth Award.

MEND and Conifer break ground on Duffy School Apartments in Florence Township.

MEND establishes an academic scholarship program with the Burlington County College Foundation (now Rowan College at Burlington County).

MEND and Conifer celebrate the opening of Duffy School Apartments in Florence Township with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The two organizations also open a 100-unit new project in Egg Harbor City for seniors and people living with special needs as part of the Hurricane Sandy recovery effort.

MEND receives the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing for the Duffy School Apartments.

MEND and Conifer break ground on a new senior housing project on Riverton Road in Cinnaminson.

MEND launches its year-long 50thanniversary celebration, including its annual golf outing, a celebration reception at The Merion, and the opening of its latest property in Cinnaminson in Fall 2019 at which time MEND will own a total of 771 apartment units with locations in nine different south Jersey towns.

MEND hires Eileen Wirth, MENDs’ first female CEO, featured in the Burlington County Times.

MEND reaffirmed its mission to provide high quality, accessible, secure, safe, and affordable housing to individuals and families within Southern New Jersey, thereby fostering sustainable and strong communities, and committed to looking beyond the “bricks and mortar” of an affordable home, as MEND seeks to provide additional support and services to residents

MEND acquires a small development in Moorestown, featuring two- and three-bedroom apartments adding six affordable homes to its portfolio. The community is named Butler Court.

MEND earned and awarded the AMO® (Accredited Management Organization) accreditation from IREM (Institute of Real Estate Management).

MEND acquires two new properties that will be developed into homes for larger families, homes with a preference for veterans, and a new corporate office space.