By Allison Perrine
RED BANK – Several individuals who might typically spend a night looking for a place to sleep will now rest easy in one of four new apartment units on River Street designed and constructed by HABcore and other volunteers.
The Red Bank-based non- profit spent the past several months building onto a 100-year-old duplex at 119 River St. that it has owned since 1992. And despite the COVID-19 pandemic spreading globally, the units were still completed on time without delays.
“We were in a different world, it seems, when we were all back here for the groundbreaking just nine months ago. And to know that this still happened on time… is just amazing,” said Steve Heisman, executive director of HABcore. “We’ve got now homes for four people that other wise would have been without so we’re excited about that. We know that we still have a big job to do; there’s still people out there who need homes and who even knows – once the evection moratorium is lifted – there’s going to be a lot of other people who need help.”
According to HABcore, the homeless population has been growing in Monmouth and Ocean counties not only for adults, but for children as well. There are more than 60 families with a combined 100 children residing in HABcore facilities, Heisman told The Two River Times when the project star ted in November 2019.
The four new units are ADA-compliant with new furnishings and ample lighting. Tower Hill Church of Red Bank funded the cabinetry in the units. All of the rooms have lights, the bedrooms have walk-in closets and the kitchens have deep pantries. The hardwood floors have 20-year guarantees and the full bathrooms are handicap-accessible.
The new units were built as an addition to the proper ty that already had two-bedroom units on the first floor and three bedrooms on the second. Tenants were selected on a first-come, first-served basis, said Katie Lord, associate director of HABcore. She reached out to some of the organization’s community partners such as Lunch Break and Monmouth County officials to let them know of the opportunities available for individuals in need. All units have been filled and are ready for move-in Oct. 1.
“I interview everybody; we talked about the program, the services that we offer. And they have a choice in if they want to be here,” Lord said. “We have all the residents ready to go. They’re ver y anxious to move in and it will be a very exciting day when they move in. We’re really looking for ward to it.”
The expansion was funded by community donors New Jersey Natural Gas, the Lydia Collins deForest Charitable Trust, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ National Housing Trust and the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation (JBJSF), which donated $100,000 to the project.
“JBJ Soul Foundation is thrilled to partner with HABcore and other local organizations to see the River Street project come to fruition,” said Jon Bon Jovi, board chairman of the JBJ Soul Foundation. “Affordable and permanent housing continues to be scarce for many homeless individuals and families in Monmouth and Ocean counties, particularly during these challenging times. We remain committed to our mission of helping those in need in Red Bank and surrounding communities — whether a place to call home on River Street, a warm, healthy, and delicious meal at JBJ Soul Kitchen, or access to support services and community resources at the JBJ & PBC Hope & Comfort Warming Center. All of which are within walking distance to one another.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Sept. 29 and was attended by HABcore representatives, community volunteers and elected officials. Assembly members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey also presented a proclamation to HABcore for its efforts supporting the homeless population and very-low-income families. Council members Kate Triggiano and Hazim Yassin also attended, as did Mayor Pat Menna.
“Everybody has been so supportive in the Red Bank community,” said Menna, adding that HABcore is doing “an extraordinary job” to help those in need. “Thank you for choosing Red Bank. Thank you for being our partner.”
According to the organization, HABcore was founded in 1988 after three homeless men froze to death in Red Bank during a harsh winter season. It was named in honor of those three men, whose names began with the letters H, A and B. The organization has since helped previously homeless persons in congregate and independent living settings.
This article was originally published in the Oct. 1-7 edition of The Two River Times.
