MANCHESTER – The Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity presented a big ‘thank you’ to the township during a recent council meeting for helping provide for a family’s home.
Mayor Robert Arace accepted the award from Northern Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Kristine Novakowski who explained that the organization and the township were both honored last year at the Housing & Community Development Network of NJ Under One Roof Conference and Network for New Jersey.
That organization “recognized the collaboration and the work that we did,” Novakowski said. That particular effort marked Habitat’s 22nd project. It involved a home that was transported from Normandy Beach to 1709 Route 539 in the Whiting section of the township.
Novakowski added that the land was donated with two adjacent lots for a single mother and her two daughters.
“Manchester Township assisted with a lot of accommodations and assisted with the permitting process during the safe transfer of the modular home. We want to present the award to you on behalf of the Network for New Jersey,” she said.
A police escort was arranged for the home from its site at 105 Third Avenue Normandy Beach to Whiting in November of 2022. Diana Pita-Hernandez and her 6-year-old twin daughters, Arianna and Adrianna moved into the home last year.
American Disabilities Act (ADA) modifications were added to that home as both daughters have spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Ramps were installed for the front and back entrances.
ADA modifications were also made to bathrooms before the family moved in and a shed to store equipment was added along with a therapy room that was required.
Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1999 and seeks to eliminate poverty housing in the community and make simple, decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.
“We rely on land donations for building affordable homes as the cost of land has become prohibitive to purchase. Once we secure the land, we start our application process to select a partner family for the home,” Novakowski said.
She further explained that applicants that meet the criteria – need for housing, meet income qualifications, and agree to partner with Habitat – are then put into a lottery selection. “As part of the partnership, the family agrees to 300 hours of sweat equity in helping to build their home.”
Prior to moving in, Hernandez told The Manchester Times, “This home will be more than a roof over our heads. Our home will be a place where my unique children with unique abilities can thrive. It’s been a dream of mine to have a therapy room. This will be a place where my children can have friends come over, and children of all abilities can play together.”
“My daughters and I have found the biggest family with Habitat. Thank you for welcoming us with so much love and taking our hands in a time of need,” she said at the time.
During the council meeting, Council President Roxy Conniff commented on the award and the project that led to it saying, “it was an amazing project. Council Vice President James Vaccaro and I were there last summer when they had the grand opening and the impact it had on the family. The two daughters were very happy. It was really great to see the community come together for that.”
