Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newark Welcomes Partner Family to House at 24 Burnet Street in Livingston, NJ
(Newark, NJ – March 31, 2022) Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newark hosted a home dedication on March 30 for its second Livingston home–a 1,350-square-foot three-bedroom, three-bathroom single-family home project at 24 Burnet Street.
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 in 2020, 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 could return to onsite work. 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 member Keisha Winston kept herself busy working through the 200 volunteer hours each Partner Family must commit to receive a Habitat home.
The Township of Livingston awarded a total of $582,000 to Habitat of Greater Newark for the two projects built so far, including $360,000 to purchase the town-owned parcels, $200,000 toward the construction of the two homes and an additional $25,000 for the replacement trees removed from the property. This project was also made possible by J.M. Huber Corporation and Peapack-Gladstone Bank. J.M. Huber Corporation sponsored the build in full and also donated its ZIP System sheathing. Peapack-Gladstone Bank worked with our Partner Family to provide a discounted interest rate, 30-year fixed rate mortgage, and also arranged for a $20,000 NeighborhoodLIFT grant towards the down payment.
Volunteer groups such as the Livingston High School Habitat for Humanity campus chapter, faith-based organizations, Boy and Girl Scouts, members of the Livingston Township Council, and many Corporate Challenge sponsors donated over 13,000 hours doing everything from fireblocking to sheetrocking to painting work for the house, under the supervision of Habitat of Greater Newark construction staff.
The 1,350-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 24 Burnet Street will have lower energy costs and lower environmental impact than buildings of similar size in the neighborhood. James Hardie Building Products Inc. donated the home’s siding.
Would you like to volunteer on a Habitat for Humanity build site? Contact Vanessa at the Habitat of Greater Newark office at vbazydlo@habitatnewark.org or call 973-624-3330 x 100.