Asbury Park's New Partnership With Coastal Habitat For Humanity

ASBURY PARK – The Asbury Park City Council has announced a new partnership between the city’s Community Development Department and Coastal Habitat for Humanity to ensure qualified Asbury Park homeowners will be able to receive certain home repairs to address health and safety concerns at no charge.

The program, funded by the Community Development Block Grant, will support Coastal Habitat for Humanity’s Love Your Neighbor, Aging in Place and Brush with Kindness programs that assist low- and fixed-income homeowners with necessary interior and exterior repairs such as painting, railings, grab bars, and improved lighting. Qualified homeowners will work with Coastal Habitat for Humanity’s staff, volunteers and partners, to complete repairs in order to continue living safely in their homes.

“There are tremendous benefits to these programs. The rehabilitation of owner-occupied houses ensures the safety of the homeowner while increasing their quality of life, creates stability for those who might otherwise be at risk of displacement, and reignites a sense of pride in homeownership,” said Director of Community Development Cassandra Dickerson, “They inspire a sense of community by bringing neighbors together to help solve problems and physically improve their neighborhoods.”

“We’re thrilled the Community Development Block Grant is benefitting our residents,” said Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn, “This new partnership with Coastal Habitat, along with the Community Development Department’s existing platforms – the Home Repair Program and the Regional Contribution Agreement (RCA) Home Rehabilitation Program, go a long way to help ease the financial burden of home repairs for those that meet income eligibility guidelines and other requirements.”

“We are incredibly grateful to the City of Asbury Park for its assistance in our efforts to help homeowners with health and safety concerns in their homes,” says Coastal Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Heather E. Schulze, “Although Coastal Habitat keeps costs to homeowners low with the use of volunteer labor, too often homeowners are still forced to pick and choose repairs based on the affordability of materials. With the city's assistance, homeowners can now make all needed repairs—maintaining their safety and restoring their pride in homeownership."

For information on income requirements and other program qualifications, call Director of Community Development Cassandra Dickerson at 732-502-5759 or Coastal Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Heather E. Schulze at 732-898-4096. For more information about the Home Repair and RCA Rehab Programs, visit www.cityofasburypark.com/communitydevelopment