‘More than a structure’

There was plenty of excitement on the 500 block of Kern Street on April 15, as township officials joined Habitat for Humanity for the ribbon cutting at a newly rehabilitated affordable home.

“This is always exciting,” said Kim Plasket, resource engagement specialist for Habitat for Humanity of South Central New Jersey. “It’s very rewarding to see the end product – a family being able to move into a beautiful home.”

“It is a gorgeous home,” agreed township Committeeman Albert Segrest, noting Cinnaminson contributed $58,000 in partnership with Habitat to transform a once-deteriorating house into a beautiful space complete with a new washer, dryer and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system.

“… We rehabbed the home with support from Cinnaminson Township funding wise,” explained Habitat chief development officer Annie Fox. She noted other homes in Camden City and Cherry Hill are being upgraded, with plans for another in Evesham Township.

Fox started the home dedication ceremony by introducing Habitat CEO Lori Leonard, who thanked the county and local officials in attendance, as well as state Assemblyman Balvir Singh.

“With hundreds of hours of hard work, dedication and learning, another local family has made their dreams a reality,” Leonard remarked. “From finance classes and homeowner preparation seminars, to painting walls and cutting trim on their homes, their journey with Habitat for Humanity is a story of resilience and strength.”

A new home is more than a structure, he added. It’s a sanctuary of safety, stability, and shelter – built with love and hope.

“We are so grateful to our partners for their ongoing support, and are happy to celebrate with Robert, Jessica and their children as they cross the threshold to a new beginning,” he said, referring to the new home’s occupants. Habitat asked that their last names be withheld.

After remarks from Mayor Ryan Horner and a presentation of gifts, the home was blessed by Pastor Maritza Gonzalez-Colon. The keys were then handed to Robert during the ribbon cutting.

A fully rehabilitated existing property, the Cinnaminson home is located on a quiet neighborhood street and features three bedrooms; two full baths; a laundry room; new energy-efficient appliances; an inviting front porch; and a comfortable, green backyard.

“For the past 10 years, Robert has lived in a tiny two-bedroom apartment in a busy building where there was little peace and quiet,” Plasket explained, adding that with two young children, he and his partner Jessica outgrew the space and began the search for an affordable new home.

After applying to Habitat and meeting homebuyer qualifications – including a final lottery among applicants – the family was ready for its new home, she said.

“Robert’s desire to own a safe, decent and affordable home is strong,” Plasket noted. “Robert, like all Habitat homeowners, put in many hours of sweat equity, working directly at Habitat sites and learning the financial skills to successfully obtain an affordable mortgage and purchase a home.”

All Habitat partner families carry 30-year mortgages with monthly payments of no more than 30% of household income.

“We began looking into homeownership because we feel our children deserve more space, stability and a better environment to grow up in,” Robert recounted. “With the current housing market, renting a larger place felt financially out of reach, so becoming a homeowner through Habitat’s program felt like the best, most stable long-term solution for our family.”

In addition to working with state, county and local officials to develop more new homes in South and Central Jersey, Habitat’s team provides home repairs that range from roof replacements to accessibility improvements for needy families.

Connect with Habitat’s projects, services and upcoming events at @HabitatSCNJ and on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Visit habitatscnj.org to learn about volunteer opportunities and how to support the organization’s mission.