Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newark Welcomes Partner Family to House at 11 Grand Terrace in Livingston, NJ
(Newark, NJ – December 3, 2020) Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newark hosted a home dedication on December 3 for its 1,500-square-foot three-bedroom, three-bathroom single-family home project at 11 Grand Terrace in Livingston, NJ.
December 3, 2020: Partner Family member Mekdes cuts the ribbon at the 11 Grand Terrace home dedication in Livingston, NJ.
“As Mayor of the Town of Livingston, I could not be happier to welcome Sisay and Mekdes Techan and their family into their new home at 11 Grand Terrace,” enthuses Livingston Mayor Rufino “Rudy” Fernandez Jr. “Building this home has truly been a community project, from when partnering with Habitat of Greater Newark to fulfill the town’s affordable housing commitment was first discussed in city council meetings to July 2018, when we broke ground, to today, when we see before us a beautiful finished home.”
Habitat of Greater Newark CEO Jeffrey J. Farrell commented, “I am impressed by the level of commitment shown by the Livingston community.” When the State of New Jersey went into COVID-19 shutdown this spring, Farrell emphasized, “Everyone associated with our Livingston projects asked, ‘What do we have to do to keep these projects on track?’” Habitat of Greater Newark Construction Manager Rick Casaretto and Site Supervisor Alphonso Richards put in many hours by themselves before volunteers returned in July. Habitat of Greater Newark instituted COVID-19 safety protocols, including mandatory masks and temperature checks, social distancing, and limiting the amount of volunteers on site. Partner Family members Sisay and Mekdes Techan kept themselves busy working through the 200 volunteer hours each Partner Family must commit to receive a Habitat home.
“As Mayor of the Town of Livingston, I could not be happier to welcome Sisay and Mekdes Techan and their family into their new home at 11 Grand Terrace,” enthuses Livingston Mayor Rufino “Rudy” Fernandez Jr. “Building this home has truly been a community project, from when partnering with Habitat of Greater Newark to fulfill the town’s affordable housing commitment was first discussed in city council meetings to July 2018, when we broke ground, to today, when we see before us a beautiful finished home.”
Habitat of Greater Newark CEO Jeffrey J. Farrell commented, “I am impressed by the level of commitment shown by the Livingston community.” When the State of New Jersey went into COVID-19 shutdown this spring, Farrell emphasized, “Everyone associated with our Livingston projects asked, ‘What do we have to do to keep these projects on track?’” Habitat of Greater Newark Construction Manager Rick Casaretto and Site Supervisor Alphonso Richards put in many hours by themselves before volunteers returned in July. Habitat of Greater Newark instituted COVID-19 safety protocols, including mandatory masks and temperature checks, social distancing, and limiting the amount of volunteers on site. Partner Family members Sisay and Mekdes Techan kept themselves busy working through the 200 volunteer hours each Partner Family must commit to receive a Habitat home.
The 1,500-square-foot three-bedroom, three-bathroom home’s colonial exterior echoes similar styles in the neighborhood, but this home is constructed to LEED Silver standards. “Green building” techniques mean that the home at 11 Grand Terrace will have lower energy costs and lower environmental impact than buildings of similar size in the neighborhood.
Volunteering opportunities are still available at the second Habitat of Greater Newark-built home in Livingston, at 24 Burnet Street. People who would like to volunteer can contact our volunteer coordinator at the Habitat of Greater Newark office at volunteer@habitatnewark.org or call 973-624-3330 x 100.