400 Home Repairs: Brick Honors Northern Ocean Habitat For Humanity

BRICK, NJ — For 25 years, volunteers with Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity have been helping residents in need with home repairs and small projects that make their homes more livable.

Last week, the organization marked a milestone as volunteers costructed a ramp on the Brick Township home of an Air Force veteran who struggles with mobility issues.

The work at the home of John and his partner, Jennifer, is the 400th repair project done by the Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity, which was honored last week for its contributions to help low- to moderate-income families in Ocean County.

John served in the U.S. Air Force for 4 years and afterward, worked in moving and delivery services.

Both John and Jennifer have mobility issues and their home needed ADA modifications and repair work that will allow them to age in place.

Their home had three porches, all of which were damaged, so the Habitat volunteers built a ramp that extends from the front porch to the driveway, with the help of the Ocean County Vocational Technical School. The lumber for the ramp was donated by Woodhaven Lumber.

In addition, their bathroom received some repairs and updates, including the conversion of their bathtub to a shower. Ferguson donated a shower enclosure for the conversion. The project is being paid for by the Brick Township Community Development Block Grant.

In recognition of the organization's contributions to help those in need and to mark the milestone repair, Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity received a proclamation from the township, presented by Mayor Lisa Crate.

Crate proclaimed April 11, 2024, to be Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity Day in town.

"Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity was established in 1999 to serve our region and since then has worked to revitalize our neighborhoods and help low-to-moderate income families," town officials said in a post on the township's Facebook page. "We thank all the dedicated volunteers and appreciate the generosity and invaluable support of donors and laborers."

The organization rehabilitates and builds safe houses alongside its homeowner/ partner families.

Northern Ocean Habitat also operates the ReStore, a retail shop that generates funds through sales of donated goods and keeps materials out of landfills. The ReStore proceeds are used to support new home builds and its Neighborhood Revitalization programs. The Neighborhood Revitalization initiative includes the Home Preservation, Housing Plus Aging in Place, A Brush with Kindness, and Veteran Repair programs. These programs provide home renovations addressing health and/or safety issues, all with the goal of keeping residents in the comfort of their own homes, the organization says.