By Patrick Olivero
FAIR HAVEN – On a quiet neighborhood street in Fair Haven, volunteers in paint-splattered clothes work side-by-side with future homeowner Lindsay McCue, rolling fresh coats of white paint along the walls of what will soon become her family’s new home.
The two-story duplex, built by Monmouth County Habitat for Humanity in cooperation with the borough of Fair Haven’s affordable housing program, marks the 84th home the nonprofit has constructed in Monmouth County. And it’s a life-changing opportunity for McCue and her 4-year-old twins, Ryan and Harper.
“This is everything,” said McCue, a teacher in Neptune and single mother. “Right now, my kids and I live in a tiny two-bedroom apartment that was built about 80 years ago. To have a brand-new house in a wonderful neighborhood is absolutely life-changing. I’m so excited for my kids to go to school here.”
The property, donated by the borough as part of its affordable housing requirements, will serve as both McCue’s home and a rental unit for another income-qualified family. The project has been embraced by local residents, with neighbors frequently stopping by the site to greet volunteers and check on progress. “Everyone has been so supportive,” said Meredith Darche, executive director for Monmouth County Habitat for Humanity. “Fair Haven made the permitting process simple, and the community has welcomed us with open arms.”
For McCue, this build has been more than just construction – it’s been an education in homeownership. Habitat’s “sweat equity” model requires each partner family contribute hours of hands-on work toward their home’s completion. “I’ve hung doors, used power tools, cut trim and painted,” McCue said, laughing. “It’s been empowering. I’ve learned so much.”
Darche said those hours are an essential part of the mission. “We want our families to feel confident in maintaining their homes,” she explained. “They’re not receiving a free house – they’re purchasing it, and in the process, they gain skills that will serve them for life.”
Habitat’s team works with both professional tradespeople and community volunteers to bring each project to completion. On this day, members of Garden State Jujitsu in Red Bank arrived to lend a hand after raising money for Habitat through their own initiative. “Community support like that makes these projects possible,” Darche said. “It’s a reflection of what we can achieve together.”
McCue’s extended family also lives nearby, with her sister just around the corner and her mother and brother in neighboring towns. That proximity has already made the house feel like home. “The neighborhood has been amazing,” McCue said, recalling a recent block party where she and her kids were invited to join the fun. “There was a bounce house, food, and I got to meet everyone. They were so welcoming.”
But one moment stands out most. “After visiting their cousins, my kids asked if we could drive by ‘our house,’ ”
McCue said. “Hearing them say that… it just fills my heart. To know they feel that sense of belonging already – that’s everything.”
For Darche and her team, that’s what Habitat’s mission is all about. “When you hear two 4-year-olds say, ‘Can we drive by our house?’ you realize the impact,” she said. “It’s about more than building homes. It’s about building stability, dignity and community.”
The article originally appeared in the October 30 – November 5, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
