HILLSDALE—Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County kicked off its latest Pascack Valley home build with a livestreamed celebration in the borough: the groundbreaking ceremony, Wednesday, Dec. 8 at noon at 2 Chestnut St.
The nonprofit has partnered with the borough to construct a single-family home that will be purchased by a Habitat partnership family, the organization told Pascack Press in its invitation.
Executive Director Teri Capparelli said, “During two and a half decades of building in Bergen County, Bergen Habitat has relied on the generosity of individual and corporate donors to fund the building or rehabilitation of more than 114 homes in 14 towns across the county.”
She said, “It is through the commitment to service demonstrated by our individual and team volunteers, and the volunteer hours of our families, that we help our homeowners achieve the dream of home ownership. Homeownership should be a necessity and not a luxury.”
Mayor John Ruocco told Pascack Press that the borough was pleased that officials “were finally able to arrive at this point, after several discussions and meetings with the Habitat for Humanity officials, with the residents, and with various council members.”
He said, “The building of an affordable home at this location was an important requirement of the affordable housing plan that the mayor and council adopted in 2017 and which the courts approved.”
Habitat, he said, has been a leader in providing affordable housing to residents who might not otherwise be able to afford to buy a home.
“I especially admire the ‘sweat equity’ that the occupants will be putting into the construction. I thank all of our borough professionals who had a hand in making this happen, especially borough attorney Mark Madaio and borough engineer Chris Statile,” Ruocco said.
He added, “I also appreciate the support that has come from PSE&G, Suez Water, and our residents, including some from my own church, who may become involved in the planning and construction.”
The mayor said, “The new residents of Hillsdale who will ultimately reside in this location are a welcome addition to the Hillsdale community. I look forward to welcoming them personally.”
Habitat Bergen thanked all who came out in support, including Ruocco; Borough Administrator Chris Tieitjen; county commissioners Tracy Silna Zur, Tom Sullivan, and Rob Esposito; Gary Kohles of the Bergen County Division of Community Development; Habitat Bergen Board President Roxanne Vivanco; Habitat Bergen Vice President Anita DaSilva; Director of Construction Gary Kohl; construction supervisor Tom LoRusso; Executive Director Teri Capparell; Director of Operations Jane Norville Cook; volunteer coordinator Gloria Bello; social media specialist Jennifer Melinda Sullivan; volunteers; the Greyheads; and the Hillsdale Police Department.
Bergen Habitat most recently worked on homes for seniors and veterans in Westwood and the Township of Washington, and so far has built dozens of homes for hard-working families throughout Bergen County.
In February 2020 we reported that the borough had offered the Chestnut Street green to Habitat Bergen. The property, 50 feet by 100 feet at a dead end paper street and undersized for new development according to borough code, was one of approximately a dozen considered for affordable housing.
To neighbors the land was seen as a cherished vestige of pristine woodland in the 20-square-block tract in Hillsdale and neighboring Township of Washington known as the tree section. Surface streets here are named for such species as Beech, Cherry, Chestnut, Fern, Hickory, Oak, and Walnut.
Habitat Bergen’s then-executive director told Pascack Press that Feb. 21 that it’s a great spot for an attractive 1,500-square-foot 3-bedroom home with attached garage for a family of moderate means.
“We haven’t decided to earmark that for seniors, veterans, or anyone yet. We have a bit of work to do,” she said.
The borough extended its deadline for the offer to March 15, 2020, to give time for all involved to come to terms.
“The Borough is obligated to fulfill the terms of an agreement it made with the Fair Share Housing Corporation in 2017, accepted and approved subsequently by the Superior Court of New Jersey,” Ruocco said at the time.
“One of those terms is that the Borough will donate a property to Habitat for Humanity for the construction of an affordable home for a family,” he added.
Ruocco said the court conducted a public fairness hearing on the agreement in 2018. The borough, with input from its engineer, “worked diligently to identify appropriate donation properties,” and all settled on this lot, which the town has no other use for.
The Borough Council passed a resolution on June 11, 2019, approving the donation.
“We are engaged in final discussions with Habitat for Humanity to consummate the donation so that construction of the home for an eligible and needy family may proceed,” Ruocco said.
He said the residents in the immediate neighborhood brought concerns to his and the council’s attention at a public meeting in the latter half of 2019.
“I, along with borough professionals, have met with them to explain our obligations, the approval process that was followed, and to address their concerns,” he said.
The nonprofit Bergen ReStore, which sells used home elements, operates at 121 Carver Ave. in Westwood.