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WALL, N.J. – New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG), the principal subsidiary of New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR), and Interfaith Neighbors, Inc. dedicated a restored home today in Asbury Park to a local family. What was once an abandoned property and foothold for drug dealing in the neighborhood has been transformed into a home where Robert Byers and Shemkia Doyle can raise their five children.

“It’s inspiring to see the results of our efforts take root in this neighborhood,” said Laurence M. Downes, chairman and CEO of NJNG. “Home ownership is the cornerstone of healthy, vibrant communities, and we’re proud to help make today possible for this hard-working family through our continuing commitment to this program,” Mr. Downes said.

When Mr. Byers was growing up, he lived behind the home that he would help restore and one day own. It was an abandoned house for most of his youth and a known location for illegal activities. Interfaith Neighbors bought the vacant house from Asbury Park for $1, and it was prepared for restoration and landscaped by the New Jersey Youth Corps.

As a trainee supervisor for the New Jersey Youth Corps, Mr. Byers worked on the project. Before learning of the home ownership program, his family was living in a crowded apartment in Asbury Park. A single father of three when he met Shemkia Doyle, a home health aide, Mr. Byers saw his family grow to seven with the addition of Shemkia’s son and the birth of their son together.

The dedication of the 2-family home marks the successful completion of the 10th house and 11th residence in the home ownership program. It is the fifth home for the program in Asbury Park. The home was also beautified with flowers and shrubs planted by volunteers from NJNG’s Volunteers Inspiring Service in Our Neighborhoods program, also known as the VISION program.

“Partnerships with organizations like NJNG and Interfaith Neighbors are key to our strategy for developing affordable housing in Asbury Park,” said Asbury Park Mayor Kevin Sanders. “Their support is contributing to our revitalization efforts to improve our city for our residents and visitors.”

The home ownership program began eight years ago when NJNG donated $25,000 in seed money toward the purchase of a home in Asbury Park. Additional funds were procured by Interfaith Neighbors, which administers the program. The program intends to help working families purchase homes, which otherwise would be out of their financial reach.

New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) is the principal subsidiary of New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR), a Fortune 1000 company and a member of the Forbes Platinum 400. NJNG is one of the fastest-growing local distribution companies in the United States, serving more than 450,000 customers in New Jersey’s Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex and Morris counties. This service area’s demographics and quality of life contribute greatly to NJNG’s growth. NJNG’s progress is a tribute to the dedicated employees who have shared their expertise and focus on quality through more than 50 years of serving customers and the community to make the company a leader in the competitive energy marketplace. For more information, visit NJNG’s Web site at njliving.com.