TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County cut the ribbon on its most recent project in the township on Dec. 7, welcoming the first of two families to four new townhomes at 643, 645, 647, and 649 Jefferson Ave., site of a former VFW hall.
And on Nov. 18, Bergen Habitat broke ground on its first site in Westwood, a single-family home nestled between two borough parks. (See “Bergen Habitat Building A Home on Sand Road site,” Nov. 27.)
For the past 25 years, Habitat Bergen has been helping low-income families achieve the dream of homeownership. This most recent project brings the total units erected to 36. The affiliate also has completed 92 critical home repairs.
“With the support of the Township of Washington, we are thrilled to have completed these four quality townhomes that will help low-income individuals and families move toward brighter futures,” said Maureen Cameron, executive director of Habitat Bergen at the township event, on Jefferson Avenue.
“This is joyful day for John and Nicoletta [Cano] and their son, Johnny, who did a great job cutting the ribbon,” she added.
Nicoletta hailed the event as a dream come true and the answer to the family’s prayers.
“We have been living in a tiny one-bedroom apartment. Now Johnny has his own room and we are living in a beautiful safe neighborhood,” she said.
Cameron said Bergen Habitat was grateful for its many community partners.
She singled out the OritaniBank Charitable Foundation, which provided a $50,000 matching grant; Samsung Electronics America, which donated the appliances in the units; and Bob’s Discount Furniture, which provided each family with $5,000 worth of furniture.
At a breakfast Nov. 14 at the Iron Horse restaurant honoring Bergen Habitat founder Margaret Cook-Levy—the morning after Habitat Bergen’s 25 Years of Building Gala—Board President Sonja Clark said that Bergen Habitat has relied on the generosity of individual and corporate donors to fund the building or rehab of more than 100 homes in 14 towns across the county.
The goal of Habitat Bergen is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness by working in partnership with people in need. Using volunteer labor and donated funds and materials, Habitat Bergen builds or rehabilitates simple, decent houses and sells them to low-income families at cost, but with no interest added.
Habitat Bergen is not a giveaway program but rather a joint venture in which those who benefit from the housing ministry are involved in the work, helping with the construction of their homes and those of their neighbors.
For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County, visit habitatbergen.org.