History of AHG

The Affordable Homes Group, Inc. began in 1986 as The Salt & Light Company, a faith-based ministry seeking to help homeless and lower-income families find decent, affordable housing.  The first residence, known as The Mustard Seed, was established in 1987 as a home for single woman and mothers with children.  The Mustard Seed served as a foundation that directed us in developing a housing program that would provide not only emergency shelter but also the necessary supportive services for at-risk individuals and families.

As time continued, our program expanded to meet the continuing needs of those seeking affordable housing options.  Once individuals and families move out of temporary housing, they then face the challenge of securing decent, affordable,  and more permanent housing.  Salt & Light saw the difficulties this challenge presented, and began to develop rental properties to offer at an affordable rate for low-income families.

In 1997, Salt & Light founded Home Start, Inc., a homeownership counseling and education program for first time homebuyers.  We watched as many residents and tenants achieved steady income and once again became independent, they joined the millions of American families striving toward an even larger goal – homeownership.  We learned of a great  need within Burlington County for homebuyer education and training, and worked to develop a program to help low- to moderate-income families achieve homeownership.

As our services continued to expand, the need to redefine our organization presented itself.  In 2000, The Affordable Homes Group, Inc. was formed, and now includes The Salt & Light, Co., Inc., People First (formerly known as Transitional Housing Services), Homes of Hope, Home Start, Inc., Delta Real Estate, and two inactive companies, Catalyst Housing Corporation and Rancocas Housing Corporation.

People First, formerly known as Transitional Housing Services, now handles the placement and case management of residents in our transitional housing.  Our continuum of care program provides clients with life-skills training, one-on-one counseling, education in areas of finance and budgeting, food, assistance in obtaining housing and employment, transportation, referral to other social service programs and crisis intervention.  On an average daily basis our program serves 180 people from more than forty family units.  We maintain forty-none residential units,  supported by four case managers, eleven support staff, and five live-in resident managers.

Today The Salt & Light Co., Inc. handles property development and maintenance for all housing units within our organization.  We are also involved in the production of affordable housing for sale to lower-income homebuyers.  We have  done over 100 renovation and remodeling projects and are currently working on new home construction.  Salt & Light is has also worked outside of New Jersey to provide and promote affordable home ownership in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan and Mississippi, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.

In 1980, well before the creation of Salt & Light and AHG, current AHG President Kent Pipes helped found another non-profit called Homes of Hope, which provides affordable rental housing to low-income families in the Burlington County, NJ area.  After 25 years as an independent non-profit, Homes of Hope has joined our family of companies, and now benefits from being part of a larger, professionally managed organization.  Under AHG’s administration, and with the help of Salt & Light as its property maintenance partner, Homes of Hope continues to provide affordable rental housing today.

Home Start, Inc., in conjunction with Delta Real Estate, provides education and counseling services for low- to moderate-income households seeking homeownership.  Our goal is to produce educated clients who are prepared – both emotionally and financially - for the home purchase process.  We help clients understand their buying position, establish a plan, find mortgage lenders and apply for a loan, get access to grants and other financial assistance, and locate professionals who will be able to help them along the path to buying a home.

Open a printable brochure about our organization here.

The Affordable Homes Group, Inc. and all of its member companies is an equal opportunity housing provider.  All persons are considered regardless of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

Delta Real Estate   Home Start, Inc.   Homes of Hope

People First   The Salt & Light Co., Inc.   Contact Us